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Masonic Walk in Charleston, South Carolina By: Ill. Bro. McDonald “Don” Burbidge, 33º In an effort to provide the Masonic visitor to Charleston, S. C. with a “Walking Tour” This is a tour that will not require a reservation of any type or a tour guide. A map will be provided and a description of each area you will travel will be provided. (Click on this link for the Masonic Walking Tour Map.) The tour starts at the Lodge Alley Inn located on East Bay Street at the Alley made of Belgian blocks. It will end at St. Michael’s church with you standing in front of Ill. Brother Frederick Dalcho’s grave. IntroductionThe first documented Freemason to arrive in Charles Town as it was then called was Thomas Whitmarsh. Brother Thomas Whitmarsh was a printer and was employed in Brother Benjamin Franklin’s office in Philadelphia. He left on September 9, 1731, for Charles Town, S.C., with equipment for a printing office to be established there. It is to Brother Whitmarsh that we may trace the introduction of Freemasonry in South Carolina. Although there is no known records that survive today it is strongly believed that an unchartered Masonic lodge existed in Charles Town until 1735 when Solomon’s Lodge No. 1 was given a charter from England. Point “A”Lodge AlleyPaved in Belgian blocks, the alley was created by adjacent landowners to allow access from their homes on State Street to their ships and docks one block away on East Bay Street. It takes its name from the Lodge of Freemasons, first established in the alley in 1773. Lodge Alley is located in an area of the old walled city of Charleston where the French Huguenots once had warehouses and dwellings. Originally being very close to Charleston's wharf’s, Lodge Alley developed an 18th century seaport character expressed in taverns, storage warehouses, carriage houses, tables, lodges and corner dwellings. It was at Marine Lodge No. 38 that Charlestonians openly defied the British government before the Revolutionary War. On November 7, 1774 as a means of protesting the harsh treatment shown to Boston, Charleston’s Liberty Boys met in the Masonic Lodge-Room and constructed a “rolling stage” or parade float. Upon it effigies of the Pope, the Devil, Lord North, and Governor Thomas Hutchinson of Massachusetts were displayed. The appearance of the float marked the end of a three-day period in which Charleston’s Tea Party was equally important as a symbol of defiance to British oppression. When the “Grand Lodge of South Carolina, Ancient York Masons,” was formed by the five “Ancient: Lodges in Charleston, January 1, 1787, in which movement Marine Lodge, No. 38, was a prominent factor, it is a noteworthy fact, that at least three of the principal officers were Pennsylvania Masons, viz. Hon. William Drayton, Grand Master; Hon. Mordecai Gist, Deputy Grand Master; Edward Weyman, Esq., Senior Grand Warden. Another important event that took place here was the formation of the South Carolina Commandery No. 1 that was established from a charter provided by St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 1 of Pensacola, Florida on August 1, 1783. The charter was issued to Brother Sir Henry Beaumont. According to Sir Knight Theodore Gourdin (in 1855) who describes the charter as follows; It has upon it a star of seven points, with the ineffable name in the centre, and the motto, “Memento Mori” the arch on two pillars, and the “All seeing eye” on the Keystone, the sun beneath the arch, and “Holiness to the Lord” for the motto; the cross and brazen serpent erected on the bridge, “Jesus Salvator Hominis” for the motto; on the fourth circle is the skull and cross bones, surmounted with the cross, “in hoe signo vinces.” The reference of the last three devices is evidently to the Royal Arch, the red cross and the Templar degrees, while the first is the symbol of the Lodge of Perfection, and hence they show the connection of the Order of Templary in this State at that time with the ancient and accepted rite. The charter that was created for South Carolina Commandery No. 1 is shown below. We, the High Priest, Captain Commandant of the Red Cross, and Captain General of the most Holy Invincible Order of Knights Templars of St. Andrews Lodge No. 1, Ancient Masons, held in Charleston, South Carolina, under charter from the Grand Lodge of the Southern District of North America, do hereby certify that our trusty and well-beloved brother, Sir Henry Beaumont, had passed the Chair, been raised to the sublime degrees of an Excellent, Super Excellent, Royal Arch Mason, Knight of the Red Cross, and a Knight of the most Holy, Invincible, and Magnanimous Order of Knights Templars, Knights Hospitallers, Knights of Rhodes, and of Malta, which several Orders are above delineated; and he having conducted himself like a true and faithful brother, we affectionaly recommend him to all the Fraternity of Ancient Masons around the globe wherever assembled. Given under our hands, and seal of our Lodge, this first day of August, five thousand seven hundred and eighty three, and of Malta 3517. Geo. Carter, Capt. Gen’l. Thos. Pashley, 1st King. Wm. Nisbett, 2nd King.
Rd. Mason Recorder. (As you exit the Alley turn to your right go to the next block and turn left again.) Point “B”Philadelphia StreetPhiladelphia Street was originally named Kinloch Court by William Johnson (occupation Blacksmith) in 1810. Johnson owned much of the property in the vicinity and a was member of Orange Lodge No. 14. He was elected to numerous committees that also included George Flagg and Edward Weyman who were also known masons of the day. During the revolutionary war William Johnson had been sent to Philadelphia as a prisoner. After his return to Charles Town he renamed it “Philadelphia Street” in admiration of Philadelphia. As you walk down this historic street you will find it is much the same as it was when it was first made. The Street still looks much today as it was originally made when it was first created. About 1/3 of the way down the Street look up to your left and you will see a view of the steeple of St. Phillip’s church over the brick wall that runs most of the length of the Street. Also try to imagine the pistol duels of men protecting their honor and horse carriages travelling down it. This is the same church that our late Brother Frederick Dalcho was a rector of at one time. (As you exist the street turn to your left go to Church Street and turn left again.) Point “C”St. Phillip’s ChurchSt. Philip’s church was first erected at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets between the years 1681 and 1682. The structure was made of black cypress and the foundation was made of brick. After a prosper start it was usually referred to as the “English Church,” but it’s actual name was, “St. Philip’s.” As Charles Town evolved into a prosperous Colonial City the need for a new church was realized. As early as 1711 the Assembly authorized “a new church built of brick with a tower or steeple, and a ring of bells therein.” A decade later the “brick church” was still incomplete. The Assembly passed another bill in December 1720, which empowered the Commissioners to determine what the church would look like. To raise the money for this, the bill also called for “An additional duty of three pence per gallon to be laid on rum, and five pence per gallon on brandy and other spirits.” When the new edifice of the “Established Church” rose at the head of one of the town’s principal through fares, the street became known as Church Street as does the present building on the same site. On December 27, 1762 and again in December 1784 Right Rev. Robert Smith presented to the Masons of Charles-Town a Masonic sermon, which he called “Charity Sermon for the Masons No. 100.” This sermon is perhaps one of the earliest if not one of the first documented Masonic sermons of its kind presented in Charles-Town to the Masons. Right Rev. Smith also established the College of Charleston and the Society for the Widows and Orphans of the Clergy, which still exists today. Rev. Frederick Dalcho, M. D. and Colonel John Mitchell, was also a member of the Society for the Widows and Orphans of the Clergy. On Christmas Day, 1805, Rev. Dr. Edward Jenkins married Dr. Dalcho and Mary Elizabeth Threadcraft in St. Philip’s Church. This was Dr. Dalcho’s second marriage and his wife was to survive him until December 12, 1852. There were no children, from this marriage. During the summer months of 1814 our late Ill. Brother Frederick Dalcho, M.D. officiated at the church as Rector for the summer months until a new Rector could be found to fill the vacant spot left by the untimely death of Rev. J. D. Simons. Buried in the graveyard of St. Philip’s church you will find the grave of Ill. Brother James Moultrie, Sr. who was a founder of the Supreme Council and the gravesite of Right Rev. Robert Smith. In 2000 a grave marker was placed on Dr. Moultrie’s grave which also names him as a member of the founding fathers of the Supreme Council. Click here for the locations of the grave markers. (As you leave St. Phillip’s church head towards the intersection of Broad and Church Street)
Point “D”Corner of Broad and Church StreetSite of Brother Charles Shepheard's Tavern, also known at various times as Swallow's Tavern, The City Tavern and The Corner Tavern. At this location occurred many historically important events. One was the organization of one of the first Masonic lodges and of The Supreme Council for the Scottish Rite Masons for the entire United States. Solomon's Lodge No. 1, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on Oct. 29, 1736, at 'Mr. Charles Shepheard 's in Broad Street. ‘ The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, was organized at this same location in 1801. The first record of a theatrical season in Charleston, and one of the first in the country, was announcement in the South Carolina Gazette, Jan. 11, 1735, that on the following 24th, a tragedy called The Orphan, or the Unhappy Marriage, by Thomas Otway, would be "'attempted'' in ''the Courtroom.'' The ''courtroom'' was the long room of Shepheard's Tavern, which was rented for several years prior to 1738 to the provincial government for meetings of the court, since the Province had no suitable building and the Governor and Council could not agree on where one should be built. The use of the same room for court sessions and entertainment’s was not unusual. A dancing master, Henry Holt, gave a ball in the Courtroom a month before The Orphan was presented there. (The Orphan was not the first theatrical production in Charleston. Tony Aston, an English actor, in 1703, wrote and acted what was probably the first professional dramatic performance written and acted in the American colonies.) Shepheard's was also one of the city's post offices. In 1743, Charles Shepheard received and distributed mail arriving on ships and by land. In 1773, when the establishment was Swallow's Tavern, the first Chamber of Commerce in America was formed. Banquets were given for arriving Royal Governors at Shepheard's Tavern. The St. Andrew's Society, and other fraternal organizations in the city, held their meetings and dinners at Shepheard's. After the name changed to “The Corner Tavern” it hosted meetings of the Sons of liberty during the Revolutionary period. The name changed again to the “City Tavern” was burned in 1796 but was soon replaced. The tavern building was demolished in 1928 for the construction, in 1928-29, of the present building. The Classic style building faced with Indiana limestone, which cost $280,000 and was known as the Citizens and Southern Bank in 1906. As you stand on this corner try to imagine what it must have looked like back in 1801 when the streets were made of dirt, no traffic lights, power lines did not exist, and no cars traveled up and down the streets. Imagine if you can what it might have looked like on May 31, 1801 when each of the founders of the Supreme Council arrived to establish the first meeting of the Supreme Council at this site. Point “E”St. Michael’s ChurchSt. Michael’s church was completed in 1761 and is the oldest church edifice in the city of Charleston. Built on this same spot was the first church of St. Philip’s or as the population called it, “Church of England.” When the first president of America, George Washington (a known mason), made his southern tour through Charleston in 1791 he attended church services here at St. Michael’s. During the year 1811-1812, Dr. Dalcho and his wife owned pew number 89. The location of this pew is in the same location today as it was in 1811. In a 1999 a letter was discovered which Dr. Dalcho who was the presiding Sunday School Superintendent of the children wrote. He asks the Church Warden’s for permission to locate a bookshelf in the balcony of the church next ti the bell tower door for the Sunday school children to place their Sunday school books on. Until this time it was not known what Dr. Dalcho duties were in the church. On December 26, 1817, The Grand Lodge of South Carolina Ancient York Masons and the Grand Lodge of South Carolina met for the last time in two separate locations as two separate Grand Lodges in Charleston, South Carolina. On this same night they met together for the first time to elect the officers for the newly formed Grand Lodge. On December 27, 1817 the newly elected Grand Officers were elected under the title of, “Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of South Carolina,” at Galloway’s Tavern. The first order of business was performed by Brother Jarvis H. Stevens, Past Grand Master of the old Grand Lodge of South Carolina who installed the first Brother Thomas W. Bacot as the first Grand Master of the newly formed Grand Lodge. After Worshipful Master Bacot installation he then proceeded to install his officers for the ensuing year. With the installation of the newly established Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of South Carolina a prayer was given by the newly elected Grand Chaplin (Brother Frederick Dalcho) and the meeting was closed in due form. After the appointments were made the brethren then preceded to St. Michael’s Church, where a Divine Service was performed and a discourse delivered by Grand Chaplain Dr. Frederick Dalcho to the brethren of Charleston. His talk was well written for the evening of the events that had just taken place the day before. He based his talk on the scripture of John xii:36, “while ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.” After the presentation of his talk he provided a copy of it to the Grand Lodge for publication. In part he spoke the following words; “Free-Masonry, like the Religion of the Redeemer, is eminently calculated to dispense “peace on earth, and good will towards men.” And if the moral and religious state of the community in which it flourishes, be not increased and refined by its influence, it must be charged to the perversity of the Brotherhood, and not to the principles of the Institution. The general application of its principles and practice to the spiritual and temporal welfare of men cannot be doubted. It binds its members by the strongest sanctions, “to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly before God;” and to “love the Brotherhood.” On December 27, 1817 the brethren of the newly formed Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina met once again at the lodge room located at Galloway’s Tavern. This day the newly formed Grand Lodge held its first official meeting. With the installation of the new Grand Master and the newly formed Grand Lodge it also brought harmony back to the brethren of Charleston that had for many years was missing. Following a number of part-time associations with St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, South Carolina, he was retained as an assistant minister on February 23, 1819. In 1824 he established with others, “The Charleston Gospel Messenger and Protestant Episcopal Resgister”, a monthly journal of the Church’s activities. This paper was published monthly until 1853. His monumental work at this period was a history of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South Carolina, the first published history of any diocese in America. Consisting of more than 600 pages. All of Dr. Fredrick Dalcho’s books were sold at the, ”The Theological Book Store” in Charleston, South Carolina located at 51 Board Street. Ill. Bro. Frederick Dalcho, M. D. and his wife are buried in the graveyard of this historic churchyard. Personally speaking this is the 2nd most important site in Charleston Masonic history. As you stand looking at Ill. Brother Frederick Dalcho’s grave read each word carefully on his marker and you might agree with me. Rev. Frederick Dalcho1770-1836 Assistant Minister Of St. Michael’s Church Historian of the DioceseSovereign Grand Commander 1816-1822 Of The Supreme Council, 33° A\A\S\R\ Of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction U.S.A.
Of all of the known gravesites of the founders only on Ill. Brother Frederick Dalcho grave is it mention that he was a member of the Supreme Council until in 1999 the grave of Dr. James Moultrie was discovered. In 2000 a grave marker was placed on Dr. James Moultrie grave, which announces him as a mason and co-founder of the Supreme Council. Both Dr. Dalcho and Moultrie were members of Union Kilwinning Lodge No. 4 after the final merger of 1817 of the two grand lodges. Dr. Dalcho grave marker was placed on his grave by the masons of Charleston, South Carolina who held him in such high respect. This ends the “Masonic Walk” tour. If anyone has a question I will try and answer it to the best of my knowledge. Thank you for allowing me to take you on this journey. Ill. Brother McDonald “Don” Burbidge, 33º
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