Lodge

Lodge of Wisdom No. 16

Title: Lodge of Wisdom No. 16
Status: Chartered
Back to List
Number: 16
District
Division
Chartered: 06/15/1786
Revived: 12/11/1798
Inactive: 12/12/1848
Meetings
Address
City: Norfolk
County: Norfolk City
ZIP
Website
Facebook
Notes: Confirmed Chartered "Portsmouth Wisdom No. 16" on 06/15/1786. Not sure about when name change occurred. Confirmed Reactivated on 12/11/1798 after paying 60 dollars owed to the Grand Lodge. 1788 Proceedings: A letter from the Portsmouth Wisdom Lodge, No. 16, inclosing their approbation of the resolves of the Grand Lodge of the 29th of October last, and the expulsion of two of their Brethren, viz: John B. Laycock and Christian Muschert, for ill conduct was read, and ordered to be noted upon record. 1796 Proceedings: Respecting the delinquent Lodges—whereas sundry resolutions have been successively adopted by the Grand Lodge, expressive of their determination to suspend the Charter of those Lodges which, in despite of all remonstrances, still refuse to commune with the Grand Lodge of Virginia, agreeably to their constitution and the regulations of the said Grand Lodge; and the Grand Lodge finding themselves at a loss for regular information with respect to all the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge coming within this description, but on such as have come within their knowledge, they beg leave to offer the following resolution: Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That such Lodges as do not regularly work, viz: Nos. 5, 8, 9, 12, 16, 21, 28 and 31, be by the Grand Lodge suspended from the authority of working until it is manifested by a regular representative with their arrearages, at which time the Grand Lodge pledge themselves to treat them with that lenity they may deserve, which will be in reinstating them in all their privileges. 1798 Proceedings: Brother Pierre Valentin Davezac, Master of the Lodge No. 16, appeared, with his credentials, as the representative of the said Lodge; but it having been understood at the last Grand Annual Communication, that the said Lodge had, pursuant to a request to that effect, been permitted to withdraw itself from the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, the Most Worshipful Grand Master determined that Brother Pierre Valentin Davezac could only be admitted as a visitor, until the circumstances, relative to the said Lodge No. 16, were reconsidered. Brother Pierre Valentin Davezac, the Master of the Lodge No. 16, appeared, and it having been reported to the Grand Lodge that the grand committee had reconsidered the circumstances relative to the Lodge No. 16, and had resolved, as their opinion, that the said Lodge No. 16, was entitled to a renewal of their charter from this Grand Lodge, on the payment of 60 dollars, the receipt of which the Grand Treasurer acknowledged, the Most Worshipful Grand Master determined that Brother Pierre Valentin Davezac was at liberty to take his seat, as the representative of Lodge No. 16, which he did accordingly. 1808 Proceedings: A petition having been received, during the recess of the Grand Lodge, from Lodge No. 16, praying for leave to remove their Lodge from Portsmouth to Norfolk, and the said petition being accompanied by letters expressive of the approbation of the Lodges No. 1 (Norfolk) and No. 56 (Naphtali), to such a removal, Resolved, That the said Lodge No. 16 be, and it is hereby authorized to hold its future meetings and pursue its labours in the borough of Norfolk. 1810 Proceedings: Whereas it hath been fully proved, that Brother Bernard Magnien, Past Master of Lodge No. 16, did in the month of September last, improperly enter into the room in Norfolk, where the said Lodge holds its meetings, and take thereout, without due authority, sundry jewels and tools, necessary to the due lustre and working of said Lodge, and with others, who united with him, did enter and take possession of a house in Portsmouth, belonging to said Lodge, and disowning the authority of this Grand Lodge, heretofore by the said brethren acknowledged, have avowed their intention of carrying on some works under pretended foreign jurisdiction, and persist in this avowal, and refuse to return to their said Lodge, No. 16, and to restore thereto the said property of which the said Lodge has been deprived, though regularly admonished and solicited to do so; therefore, 1. Resolved, That the conduct of Brother Bernard Magnien, and those associated with him, calls for the most marked disapprobation of this Grand Lodge. 2. Resolved, That Lodge No. 16, is composed and can only be composed of members acknowledging the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. 3. Resolved, That it is the duty of the said Brother Bernard Magnien and his associates, to return to the bosom of the said Lodge, No. 16, and to restore to it the property of which it has been deprived as aforesaid. 4. Resolved, That in consideration of the former regular and fraternal conduct of Brother Bernard Magnien, he be made acquainted with the resolutions of this Grand Lodge concerning him, and he and his associates invited in the proper spirit of the craft, to return to their duty, and that the following worshipful brethren be and they are hereby appointed a special grand committee, to carry this resolution into effect, viz: Thomas Matthews, James Taylor, Eobert Brough, William Thomson, John Barber, Alexander Whitehead and William Sharp—a majority of whom may act. 5. Resolved, That if Brother Bernard Magnien and his associates, continue obstinate and refuse compliance, the proper steps be taken to have them deprived of the privileges and benefits of Masonry. 6. Resolved, That the said special grand committee make report of their proceedings herein, to the Grand Master, as soon as the nature of the ease will admit. 1811 Proceedings: Resolved unanimously, That the order of expulsion issued by the Grand Master against Bernard Magnien, and those associated with him, is in harmony with the authority vested in the Grand Master at the last Grand Annual Communication, and that said expulsion be confirmed. Resolved,. That should any of the persons who were included in the expulsion of Bernard Magnien and his associates, be desirous of returning from the error of their ways and of being admitted again into the bosom of our fraternity, the Grand Master may, and he is hereby authorized, upon due representation, to release any such brother or brethren from the disqualifications of said expulsion.