Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Which Is the Oldest Commandery of Knights Templar in the United States?: A Paper Read Before Maryland Commandery, No. 1, Masonic Knights Templar, Friday, Evening, November 22nd, 1889
Massachusetts; South Carolina, No. 1, Charleston, South Carolina;. Washington No. 1, Hartford, Connecticut, and St. John's, No. 1, Providence, Rhode Island.
As the two last named only claim to date their organiza tion from the years 1796 and 1802 respectively, I need not at this time stop to discuss their claims to priority.
St. John's, of Providence, I believe, only claims precedence from the fact that it is the oldest Chartered Commandery, and has continuous records from the date of its organization.
I am very sure there is no Sir Knight of Maryland Com mandery who desires to advance a claim which is not in per fect harmony with the truth of history; therefore, with the view of definitely settling this question prior to our Centenary Celebration in May next, I have been induced to prepare the present paper, in which I propose to give as succinctly as possible the documentary evidence and legal proofs deduce able therefrom, upon which the claims of the several contest ing Commanderies are based, and then leave the decision of the question to the consideration of the Sir Knights of the country. Should their verdict be adverse to the claims of Maryland Commandery, Iam quite sure the Sir Knights will acquiesce in their decision and take the second, or if need be, the third place of rank, with the best grace they can com mand.
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