History
Prior to the War for Independence, Delaware existed as the “three lower counties on the Delaware” and was a part of Pennsylvania. At their request, William Penn granted the three lower counties their own governing body in 1704 known as The Assembly of the Three Lower Counties, as long as they agreed to continue to recognize the Provincial Government of Pennsylvania (Hancock 1976). In 1717, four speculative craft masonry Lodges in London came together to form the first Grand Lodge in the world helping to harmonize rituals and practices between the Lodges (Mackey [1909] 1953). The Grand Lodge of England authorized the formation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1731 (Wes et al., 1973-1974). Freemasonry grew in popularity in the United States and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Ancient York Masons (A.Y.M.) chartered 3 Lodges in the “three lower counties.” The oldest of these Lodges, chartered in 1765, was Lodge No. 5 at Cantwell’s Bridge (present day Odessa). The other two Lodges were No. 14 at Christiana Ferry (Wilmington) chartered 1769, and No. 18 at Dover chartered 1775 (Wes et al., 1973-1974). War broke out between the American colonies and Great Britain in the spring of 1775. As the war progressed, the economic, political, and cultural differences that always existed between the three lower counties and the colony of Pennsylvania grew more rapidly and pushed them further and further apart. On June 15, 1776, with the Declaration of Independence on the horizon, The Assembly met and adopted a resolution declaring themselves independent of Pennsylvania and Great Britain and set New Castle as their capital (Hancock 1976). Meanwhile, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania would go on to charter three additional Lodges before the formation of the Grand Lodge of Delaware Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (A.F. & A.M.): Lodge No. 33 at New Castle in 1780 and No. 44 at Duck Creek Crossroads (present day Smyrna) in 1785 (Wes et al., 1973-1974). The third Lodge chartered was a military Lodge that was attached to the Delaware Regiment in the Continental Army. The Lodge was chartered in 1780 as Hiram’s Delaware Regimental Lodge just prior to their departure on the Southern campaign. Not much is known about this Lodge as their jewels, charter and minutes were all lost at the disastrous Battle of Camden. The Delaware Regiment has the distinction of being the longest serving regiment in the Continental Army, a regiment in which many of our brothers proudly served with distinction, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice (Green 1962).
In the years following the War for Independence, murmurings began regarding the formation of a Grand Lodge of Delaware. An attempt by five lodges was made around 1787, which ultimately failed. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania A.Y.M. established their independence and reformed themselves as The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Free and Accepted Masons (F. & A.M.) (Wes et al., 1973-1974). This led to the rechartering of the 5 Lodges. Shortly after this the charters of Lodge No. 18 at Dover and No. 44 at Duck Creek Crossroads were vacated. Before 1806, two additional Lodges would be chartered, one by the Grand Lodge of PA, Lodge No. 96 in Newark and one by the Grand Lodge of Maryland, Lodge No. 31 at Laurel Town (present day Laurel) (Green 1962). There were also several other attempts to form a Grand Lodge in Delaware that all failed until four Lodges came together on June 6 and 7, 1806: Lodge No. 14 of Wilmington (became Washington Lodge No. 1), Lodge No. 33 of New Castle (became St. John’s Lodge No. 2), Lodge No. 96 of Newark (became Hiram Lodge No. 3) and Lodge No. 31 Laurel Town (became Hope Lodge No.4).
Elections were held and Gunning Bedford, Jr. (Aide de Camp to Washington) was elected and installed as the first Grand Master. Jesse Green was elected and installed as Deputy Grand Master.
A letter was sent to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania telling them that Delaware had formed their own Grand Lodge and installed its own officers. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania responded by labeling the Delaware Lodges clandestine. Chief among reasons for this was that the Delaware Lodges were not current with their dues and that they did not follow the ancient landmarks that five Lodges were needed in order to form a Grand Lodge (Green 1956). This last reason (regarding the ancient landmarks) is a misnomer as only four Lodges were present with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. Therefore, no precedent was set to require five Lodges. The Grand Lodge of Maryland took a similar stance on Delaware as Pennsylvania had. This led the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as well as other Grand Lodges to initially not recognize the legitimacy and authority of the Grand Lodge of Delaware. Delaware finally received recognition from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in June 1812, an effort that was largely spearheaded by Jesse Green, who was Grand Master at the time (Green 1956). Though relations were repaired with the Grand Lodge of Maryland around the same time, formal recognition of the Grand Lodge of Delaware by the Grand Lodge of Maryland did not occur until 2005, nearly 200 years later (Garland 2006).
The Marquis de Lafayette joined the American cause for independence in July of 1777 when he volunteered his services to the Continental Congress. They reciprocated by commissioning him as a Major General. General Lafayette joined Washington’s staff and would go on to spend around $200,000 of his own fortune to aid the fledgling army; this would be the equivalent of nearly $6,000,000 in today’s currency. General Lafayette was present in Delaware in the days leading up to the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in present day Newark, Delaware. He was also with Washington as he held a council of war, drawing up plans for the battle of Brandywine under the shade of a large sycamore tree (Delaware’s only known witness tree) at the Hale Byrnes House. That house is situated along the banks of the Christiana River in Stanton. It at the battle of Brandywine “[o]n the fields of Birmingham Hill, Lafayette shed his own blood in defense of America” (Mowday, 2021).
Lafayette’s visit to America was part of a thank you for all he did to aid the birth of America and a chance to reunite with friends he made during his time here. After the festivities were over in Wilmington for the day, he made his way to New Castle in order to attend the wedding of Miss Dorcas Montgomery Van Dyke to Charles Irenee duPont. Charles was the son of Victor Marie duPont, a mason and aide-de-camp to General Lafayette during the French Revolution. The bride was the granddaughter of Nicholas Van Dyke, the seventh Governor of Delaware and Past Master of St. John’s Lodge No.2 (Green 1956).
A letter was sent to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania telling them that Delaware had formed their own Grand Lodge and installed its own officers. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania responded by labeling the Delaware Lodges clandestine. Chief among reasons for this was that the Delaware Lodges were not current with their dues and that they did not follow the ancient landmarks that five Lodges were needed in order to form a Grand Lodge (Green 1956). This last reason (regarding the ancient landmarks) is a misnomer as only four Lodges were present with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. Therefore, no precedent was set to require five Lodges. The Grand Lodge of Maryland took a similar stance on Delaware as Pennsylvania had. This led the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as well as other Grand Lodges to initially not recognize the legitimacy and authority of the Grand Lodge of Delaware. Delaware finally received recognition from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in June 1812, an effort that was largely spearheaded by Jesse Green, who was Grand Master at the time (Green 1956). Though relations were repaired with the Grand Lodge of Maryland around the same time, formal recognition of the Grand Lodge of Delaware by the Grand Lodge of Maryland did not occur until 2005, nearly 200 years later (Garland 2006).
In August of 1824, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, better known as the Marquis de Lafayette, arrived in New York as the “Guest of the Nation” by invitation from his close friend, President James Monroe. General Lafayette would tour all 24 States of the Union over the next 14 months. On October 6, 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette arrived at the border of Delaware and Pennsylvania. He was escorted by 200 “fine looking young men dressed in blue and white coats, black stocks and white pantaloons, handsomely mounted, exhibiting the cockade and Lafayette badge” (Green 1956). This caravan was accompanied by musicians and covered the seven-mile stretch from Wilmington to the State line. As the procession approached Prospect Hill, around 100 Free Masons led by the Grand Master of Delaware, J. C. Brinckle, Esq., received Lafayette. The procession continued to the Town Hall, where an address was made to Lafayette by Grand Master Brinckle. Among those present were veterans of the American Revolution who had previously served with Lafayette (Green 1956).
The Marquis de Lafayette joined the American cause for independence in July of 1777 when he volunteered his services to the Continental Congress. They reciprocated by commissioning him as a Major General. General Lafayette joined Washington’s staff and would go on to spend around $200,000 of his own fortune to aid the fledgling army; this would be the equivalent of nearly $6,000,000 in today’s currency. General Lafayette was present in Delaware in the days leading up to the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in present day Newark, Delaware. He was also with Washington as he held a council of war, drawing up plans for the battle of Brandywine under the shade of a large sycamore tree (Delaware’s only known witness tree) at the Hale Byrnes House. That house is situated along the banks of the Christiana River in Stanton. It at the battle of Brandywine “[o]n the fields of Birmingham Hill, Lafayette shed his own blood in defense of America” (Mowday, 2021).
Lafayette’s visit to America was part of a thank you for all he did to aid the birth of America and a chance to reunite with friends he made during his time here. After the festivities were over in Wilmington for the day, he made his way to New Castle in order to attend the wedding of Miss Dorcas Montgomery Van Dyke to Charles Irenee duPont. Charles was the son of Victor Marie duPont, a mason and aide-de-camp to General Lafayette during the French Revolution. The bride was the granddaughter of Nicholas Van Dyke, the seventh Governor of Delaware and Past Master of St. John’s Lodge No.2 (Green 1956).
The 1824 visit was short, but a resolution was passed by Grand Lodge of Delaware on June 27, 1825, inviting Brother Lafayette back to Delaware. On July 25, 1825, Lafayette returned to Delaware and was received by Grand Lodge along with his son George Washington Lafayette and his Secretary, Brother Auguste Levasseur, at the Old Town Hall in Wilmington. Here, Brother Lafayette was presented with a certificate of membership making him the first Grand Master Honorarius. At this time, Lafayette, his son and his secretary signed the Warrant for Lafayette Lodge No. 14, which was charted January 17, 1825 in honor of his visit. During his visit, he was the guest of Brother Victor Marie duPont, who took him to visit the battleground at Chadd’s Ford where General Lafayette was wounded during battle. An oak box was commissioned to be made to hold his certificate of membership to the Grand Lodge of Delaware from an oak tree closest to the location identified by Lafayette where he was injured. While the location of this box is unknown today, the Grand Lodge of Delaware does have in its collection several items of Lafayette’s including his sash, apron, collar and Past Master’s Jewel (Green 1956) that were all worn during his visit in Delaware.
From 1806 to 1872, the Grand Lodge of Delaware and the lodges of Wilmington were meeting in various locations throughout the city0, including: the Old Town Hall, the College of Wilmington and the Webb Building. Over the years, several discussions were had about constructing a building for the Grand Lodge as well as Wilmington Lodges to meet (Green 1956). However, nothing came to fruition until 1867, when a joint committee of the aforementioned Lodges proposed the formation of a Hall Company with stock shares to be sold to raise funds for the purpose of erecting a temple in Wilmington. When a predesignated percentage of the shares was sold in 1869, the stockholders met and elected the officers for the Hall Company. On January 28, 1869, the Masonic Hall Company of Wilmington was granted its charter by the Grand Lodge of Delaware. In 1870, The Hall Company purchased a lot on Market Street from the Gordon Family. Thomas Dixon, a local born architect practicing in Baltimore, was selected as the architect for the new masonic temple. Some well known buildings designed by Dixon include, The Wesley-Travers Mansion in New Castle, The Indian Queen Hotel and Grace Methodist Church in Wilmington and the Mount Vernon Place Methodist Church in Baltimore. Ground was broken in January 1871 and on April 20, 1871 the cornerstone was laid. In the cornerstone was deposited a copy of the Holy Bible, copies of the Wilmington newspapers, a list of the officers of the Grand Lodge of Delaware, the names of the members of the building committee and coins ranging from a penny to a silver dollar, all minted that year (Hoffroker 1871; Vanderford 1871). This was only the fifth cornerstone that was laid by the Grand Lodge with the first one being laid in 1826 for the Middletown Academy in Middletown. Following the completion of the ceremony and an address by Most Worshipful Grand Master McCabe, a splendid feast was held at the Indian Queen Hotel just down the street. The temple was completed and dedicated less than a year later on April 18, 1872. A feast was held in celebration afterwards at which over 300 people were present. Four tables were set up in the theater extending its entire length to accommodate all of the guests (Green 1956). The grand opening of the opera house did not occur until December 22, 1872, which was celebrated with a promenade concert and ball (Young 1976). For the first time since its founding, the Grand Lodge as well as the lodges of Wilmington, had a place of their own to meet. Over the course of its 150 plus year history, the Grand Opera House has been witness to many famous performances, visitors, persons and Brothers; including Ulysess S. Grant, Buffalo Bill Cody and the famous Arctic explorer, Robert Peary (Green 1956).
The Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, a sister Lodge of Washington Lodge No. 1 in Wilmington, led by Brother Charles H. Callahan formed a Memorial Temple Committee in 1909 to create a memorial honoring George Washington in Alexandria, Virginia (Green 1956). The Grand Master of Masons in Viriginia extended an invitation to Grand Masters in 18 states (including Delaware) to discuss the project and they met on February 22, 1910. At the meeting, they made a motion to move forward with the project. During the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Delaware in October 1910, the Grand Lodge approved their involvement and appointed Past Grand Master (PGM) Thomas J. Day to be their representative on the project. PGM Thomas Day was present at the meeting on February 22nd. In 1912, PGM Day was appointed chairman of the Committee on Rules and Order and was later made a life member of the Association. Funds were raised by 49 Grand Lodges, with the idea that $1 per mason would help them reach their goal. Deputy Grand Master Edward W. Cooch reported at the Annual Communication in October 1923 that the construction on the base of the monument was nearly completed, but due to changes and increased costs, the new cost to complete the construction was $4 million, $1 million more than the original estimate. The cornerstone of the memorial was laid on November 1, 1923. Each Grand Lodge contributed an article to be deposited in the cornerstone. Delaware contributed a small silver trowel with a Walnut handle made by Delaware Masons. The wood for the handle was collected from the farm of Grand Master Cooch on the site of the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge. Delaware contributed greatly to raising funds for the construction of the edifice. During an address to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, President of the association, Col. Louis Watres made a comment regarding Delaware saying “Some call it ‘Little Delaware,’ but she is not little in Masonic spirit. Her Masonic population is 6,123, but her per capita is $2.90” (Green 1956). The George Washington Masonic National Memorial opened to the public in 1970, more than 50 years after the project began (GWMNMA n.d.).
Around this same time, the Grand Lodge of Delaware took on another project which exemplified one of our key tenets, charity; a Masonic Home to house our less fortunate Masonic family as they aged was announced by Grand Master Virginius V. Harrison in October 1895 (Green 1956). A committee was formed headed by incoming Grand Master Joseph L. Cahall who after research determined that it to be inadvisable to the expense and limited resources available. It wasn’t until 1910, when members of Lafayette Lodge No. 14 met to discuss donating to Hope Farm to aid in anti-tuberculosis work, that they decided it would be better to use that money to form a Masonic Home. A collection of $3.60 was gathered and invested. This inspired Past Master William W. Knox of Temple Lodge No. 11 to make a motion to create a Savings Fund for the purchase and maintenance of a Masonic Home in March of 1910. Fervor quickly grew and another Committee was formed. They went to visit a Masonic Home in New Jersey in July of that year and were given a tour and shown how everything worked to prevent it becoming a burden on its members.
During the Annual Communication in October 1911, a motion was approved to take $1500 of the Grand Charity Fund and all the money in the Grand Reserve Fund to be used to build a Masonic Home and each Lodge would be levied a per capita tax of $1. The Masonic Home Corporation of Delaware received its charter on November 1, 1911. Twelve acres were purchased in Christiana Hundred off of Lancaster Pike, a beautiful property known as Highfield, which already held an old mansion. Each Lodge helped to furnish a different room in the home (Green 1956). On October 2, 1912, a dedication was held for the Masonic Home. Brother and Mrs. Thomas McKinney, Sr. were selected to oversee the home on site. There were 8 guests housed during the first year. By October 1913, all debts were paid on the home and there was money left to run the home for the next year. Money was bequeathed by Masons and annual dues were collected to keep up with the maintenance of the Home. In March 1921, Past Grand Master Gunning Bedford Jr. was reinterred on the grounds of the Home when the cemetery he was buried at was to be developed. As the home and its activities grew, it was determined that they needed more room and a new building was dedicated on Memorial Day 1923 with over 5,000 people present for the festivities. A Masonic Field Day was held annually on the grounds of the home for some years. Guests of the home were cared for and provided with medical treatments and entertainment. The Masonic home was a labor of love and only possible by the generosity of Masons and edification of charity (agape) leading it to become one of the brightest areas in our history (Green 1956).
On May 20, 1934, the 100th Anniversary of the death of Lafayette was observed in by the masons at the Masonic Home (Green 1956). A speech was given by Most Worshipful (MW) J Wallace Woodford PGM, “We make no vain boast that Freemasonry was responsible for his greatness, or contributed to the purity of his life and the nobility of his character, but we are justly proud that Lafayette found in our ancient Order those principles and ideals which were enthroned in his heart and which constituted the buttress of his faith and the impulse to service his fellowmen”(Green 1956).
In 1945 Robert Ruliph Morgan Carpenter was made a Mason at sight. To do this, an occasional lodge was called by the Grand Lodge of Delaware and each degree was conferred one after another on Brother Carpenter. In attendance were “fourteen Past Grand Masters and over 150 brethren” (Green, 1956). This was a significant event in the history of Delaware Freemasonry as this was the first and only time that a Mason was made at sight. RRM Carpenter was an executive of the E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company and contributed much to charity. How he lived his life exemplified what we as masons do and what values we hold in high regard. During World War II, he was the director of the Delaware chapter of the Red Cross. He was also an owner of the Philadelphia Phillies and the name of Rudy Carpenter is known by many fans that know the history of this storied ball club (Green 1956).
Fast forward to today, the Grand Lodge of Delaware is comprised of 25 subordinate Lodges, a Lodge of Research and 12 appendant and concordant bodies. While several Lodges have come and gone since the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Delaware, the enduring legacy of Masons in Delaware continues with the Gunning Bedford Scholarship and the Masonic Charities fund. In addition to the aforementioned scholarship and fund, there many annual scholarships that are sponsored by individual lodges.
The Gunning Bedford Scholarship was established in 1921 by Grand Master Highfield and is awarded annually to worthy and needy students graduating from a Delaware High School pursuing higher education and is based on both academic merit and financial need.
The Masonic Charities came from the sale of our Masonic Home in 2014. As both the federal and state governments put regulations and requirements on establishments such as the Masonic Home, it became increasingly difficult to meet each new requirement while ensuring the best care possible for the residents. The difficult decision was made to sell the home in which so much love, sweat and tears were spent and where so many happy memories were made. The funds from the sale of the home were put into investments and the Masonic Charities was established to continue the work that the home provided if in a different way. Since that time over 2.2 million dollars have been donated to fund masonic and non-masonic charitable organizations.
By aid of these scholarships and funds as well as being present and actively involved in our communities, the masons of the Grand Lodge of Delaware have and will continue to spread light in our communities, our state and beyond as we have for over 250 years.
Garland, Richard. 2006. Grand Lodge of Delaware Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. AuthorHouse.
Green, Charles. 1956. History of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Delaware. Wilmington, DE: William N Cann, Inc.
Green, Charles. 1962. Masonic Potpourri. Wilmington, DE: William N Cann, Inc.
GWMNMA. n.d. “A Brief History.” GWMNMA. Accessed September 29, 2023. https://gwmemorial.org/pages/history.
Hancock, Harold B. 1976. Liberty and Independence the Delaware State during the American Revolution. Wilmington Delaware: Delaware American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.
Hoffroker, Jospeh, ed. 1871. Review of A Grand Masonic Demonstration in Wilmington. Smryna Times, April 26, 1871.
Mackey, Albert G. (1909) 1953. Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. Vol. 1. Chicago, Illinois: The Masonic History Company.
Mowday, Bruce E. 2021. Lafayette at Brandywine : The Making of an American Hero. Fort Lee, Nj: Barricade Books Inc.