Welcome to the Scottish right Journal podcast an audio presentation of the Scottish right Journal brought to you by the Supreme Council of the Scottish right Southern jurisdiction mother Supreme Council of the world this week’s article is the strange story of Captain sylvanis hatch the oldest Freemason in
The world by brother Robert shig Porter II 32nd degree KC and comes from the September October 2014 issue of the Scottish right Journal an unusual Discovery was made among the old Masonic records of Solomon’s lodge number one free and accepted masons at Savannah Georgia several interesting letters from the 1880s were uncovered
Shedding light on the life of a little known Freemason named captain Sylvanas hatch in 1885 Masonic writers Across America proclaimed brother hatch to be the oldest Freemason in the world the title was magnified by the fact that brother hatch was also the oldest living member of Solomon’s Lodge one of the
Oldest Masonic lodges in America His Story begins in 1880 when a bold claim was made in the Chicago weekly news that an elderly Mason named Elijah stanbury onetime mayor of Baltimore was thought to be the oldest living Mason in America this attracted the attention of a Freemason named JM
Bickford living in Indianola Texas he immediately challenged brother stanbury’s right to the title by claiming there existed an even older Mason in Calhoun County Texas by 1881 an article appeared in the New York Sunday Courier and related that Captain sylvanis hatch of this Calhoun County whose 93rd birthday was celebrated on
The 1st of June 1881 showed me his certificate of ancient York Masons of the city of Savannah Georgia dated the 9th of June in the year of late 1809 which is several years older than Mr stanbury’s he wishes you to publish this in your weekly Edition and if there are
Any older Masons he would be very glad to hear from them his address is Port lavaka Calhoun County Texas news of hatch’s existence spread throughout America’s Grand lodges brother hatch’s longevity and Clarity of Mind became the talk of American masonry that summer brother John H Estel worshipful master
Of Solomon’s Lodge received a letter from Texas the letter contained an inquiry into the facts concerning Captain hatch and his Masonic membership in response Estel examined the minutes of the lodge and authenticated the name on the roles Estel immediately printed an article in his Savannah Morning News entitled the oldest Mason living to
Secure brother hatch’s association with the fraternity the article records upon reference to the minute books of Solomon’s Lodge Number One free and accepted masons of Savannah of 1809 in the possession of the worshipful master of the lodge brother John H Estel we find that Captain sylvanis hatch was
Made and Entered Apprentice Mason on the 16th February 1809 at a meeting of Solomon’s Lodge held in this city we further find on the 16th of March 1809 under a dispensation granted by wri worshipful William Stevens Grandmaster of the state of Georgia Captain hatch was passed to the degree of fellowcraft
And raised to the degree of a Master Mason in June following Desiring to leave Savannah he obtained his certificate of membership in the lodge which he still holds dated June 9th 1809 over 72 years ago nearly 34 of a century as hatch Grew Older Solomon’s Lodge neared the 150th anniversary of the
Introduction of Freemasonry in Georgia by brother James oglethorp and another letter arrived from Texas the letter reads Port lavaka Texas June 10th 1884 worshipful master wardens and Brethren of Solomon’s Lodge Brethren by invitation on June 1st I dined with Captain sylvanis hatch of this County who celebrated on this day his 96th
Birthday surrounded by his descendants down to his fourth generation he informed me that he was made a Master Mason in your Lodge in June 1809 hence he has been a Mason for 75 years and the statistics of masonic editors in different parts of the country he is now
The oldest Mason in the world he is in fine Health never having been confined to his bed from sickness one day since he became a man talks fluently of scenes transpiring in those early days wishing this safe to hand with my highest regards from our Noble fraternity I
Remain as ever fraternally yours JM Bickford address Port lavaka Calhoun County Texas hatch was born in Massachusetts on June 1st 1788 the son of Joseph and mercy hatch the Hatch Family left Massachusetts during the 1790s and settled in Georgia by 1809 he joined the old Lodge at savan his enjoyment of the
Lodge’s Mystic tie was cut short by his enlistment in the American Army in 1812 brother hatch served at the fame Battle of New Orleans in 1814 following the victory General Andrew Jackson later Grandmaster of Tennessee promoted brother hatch to adjudant of American forces following New Orleans brother hatch passed
Fearlessly through the war and retired with full military honors in 1828 brother hatch played a leading role in the establishment of the Austin Colony Texas was a veritable Tera incognit and brother hatch was a bold Explorer hatch and his fellow colonists built a large sailing vessel named the
Mary of Nova Iberia one of hatch’s descendants relates that shortly after the colony arrived on the Texas coast a potential conflict with Mexican forces was thwarted through giving of a masonic sign brother hatch afterwards explored the unchartered landscape surveyed lands along the laaka river and visited the unexplored regions of Red Bluff Texas
Brother hatch soon returned to Louisiana in 1829 and brought his family and about 50 passengers to live in what is now known as Calhoun County Texas hatch is said to have missed participating in the battles of the Alamo and sanjino because he was ordered to convey the women and
Children to a place of safety hatch also took part in the bloody Strife of the Spanish American War when the Civil War erupted in 186 1 brother hatch was 73 years old and weary of War on one occasion years later a contemporary recorded that on his birthday there were his children grandchildren and
Great-grandchildren to wish him many happy returns of the day and I think he may see many a birthday yet for his is hail and Hearty and has not been confined one day in bed for the last 60 years he retains the full use of his faculties and walks as firm and erect as
A man of 60 or 70 his hair is stre with gray but he has not lost any of it he spoke of the early days of Texas and the dangers he went through which would be too long for a letter like and share this article and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel
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Supreme Council of the World Mark Dyson stock 32nd degree kcch managing editor I’m your host Matt balers
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by Mark Twain