OUR HISTORY

Monroe Council No. 1 was first organized in 1847, fostered "within the bosom" of Monroe Chapter No. 1 of Detroit. The proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Michigan for 1853 substantiate this fact, as evidenced by the reports of the Grand High Priest and Grand Recorder. In his address, G.H.P. Jeremiah Moors made the following comment:

"There was a Council of Royal and Select Masters in Detroit prior to the organization of the Grand Chapter (1848) and still continues to be, but they do not derive authority from us, neither have we any evidence that they ever acknowledged our right to control them."

Companion Nathaniel Jacobs, Grand Recorder, in making his report, added the following: "For years, Monroe Council No. 1 of Detroit was the only organized body of Royal and Select Masters, her jurisdiction being co-extensive with the boundaries of the State itself."

When the Grand Chapter of Michigan was organized in 1848, its By-Laws provided for the conferring of the Council degrees by any Chapter within its jurisdiction. Specific regulations governed the granting of such authority. This article of the By-Laws was completely annulled at the Annual Convocation in 1854, in conformity with legislation passed by the General Grand Chapter in 1853, which prohibited such action.

Monroe Council No. 1 was apparently aggressive and progressive in disseminating the Cryptic Rite, and numerous Royal Arch Masons from the more populated areas of the State received the Royal and Select degrees from this Council during the decade from 1847 and 1857. These Companions were among the leaders who were instrumental in organizing Grand Chapter in 1848 and Grand Commandery in 1857. After steps were taken by Monroe Council to ensure legal organization and to sponsor two other Councils, these Companions were ready to unite in forming a Grand Council.

Fearful that its members would not be recognized as bona fide Royal and Select Masters, and that the future of the Cryptic Rite in this State would be jeopardized, Monroe Council No. 1 set about early in 1856, to establish legal organization. Edward A. Elliott, a member having roots in Connecticut, visited that jurisdiction and applied for a dispensation to Charter a Council in Detroit. The proceedings of the Grand Council of Connecticut, covering its annual assembly of May 13, 1856, disclose granting of a dispensation for Monroe Council No. 23, with authority to heal those Companions who had received the Cryptic degrees in Royal Arch Chapters. At the annual assembly of Connecticut held May 12, 1857, the proceedings report approval of a charter to be issued to Monroe Council No. 23 of Detroit, as well as St. Clair No. 24 also of Michigan.

On May 19, 1856, Monroe Council No. 1 held a special meeting to hear the report of Companion Elliott, approved the dispensation he received from Connecticut and changed its number in conformity therewith. A month later, on June 16, it met again to discuss and adopt a code of by-laws. The original officers and members who signed this document were to become conspicuous in the annals of Masonry in Michigan.

On January 2, 1857, petitions were received from John Clark, George B. Engle, and eight other Royal Arch Masons from St. Clair County, requesting Monroe Council to confer the degrees upon them and to recommend a dispensation from Connecticut for a Council in St. Clair. A charter was granted, coincident to the granting of one to Detroit, and designated as St. Clair Council No. 24.

On April 20, 1857, a petition was presented by Theron A. Flower, A. B. Cudworth, D. C. Jacobs, Francis Darrow, and five others from Pontiac, requesting Monroe Council recommend to the Grand Council of Connecticut that these Companions, be issued a Dispensation. Such a dispensation was granted on May 12, 1857, in the name Pontiac Council No. 25. Thus within a short span of time, Companion Elliott's visit to Connecticut had spawned three Council for Michigan. The Companions from St. Clair and Pontiac, like those of Detroit, were to add laurels to the annuals of Masonry in Michigan; soon thereafter all were to join forces in forming the Grand Council of Michigan.

By previous agreement, a delegation of representatives from Monroe, St. Clair, and Pontiac Councils assembled at the Masonic Hall in Detroit on January 13, 1858, for the purpose of organizing a Grand Council. George B. Engle of St. Clair was appointed Chairman of the Convention, and Francis Darrow of Pontiac was named Secretary. The following resolution was presented and unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, that this convention deems it for the best interest of Royal and Select Masters in this state that Grand Council be formed."

A form of constitution and by-laws, previously prepared, were read and adopted. These regulations we so well framed that they were to serve for fifty years, with only minor amendments. The convention then proceeded to the election of officers, the following be unanimously chosen:

 

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Simeon B. Brown, St. Clair, Ill. Deputy Grand Puissant

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Francis Darrow, Pontiac, Grand Thrice Ill. Puissant

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Ezra Rood, Detroit, Ill. Grand Treasurer

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Nathaniel P. Jacobs, Detroit, Ill. Grand Recorder

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Theron Flower, Pontiac, Ill. Grand Captain of the Guard

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George B. Engle, St. Clair, Ill. Grand Chaplain

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R. W. Davis, Pontiac, Ill. Grand Cond. of Work

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A. J. Cummings, St. Clair, Ill. Grand Marshal

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A. B. Cudworth, Pontiac, Ill. Grand Steward

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Charles D. Howard, Detroit, Ill. Grand Sentinel

A commission had been received from the Grand Council of Connecticut which authorized Companion George B. Engle to install the officers-elect. After the officers were installed, charters were granted, without fee, to the Councils, now made subordinate to the newly-born Grand Council of Michigan, their names remained the same, but the Councils were renumbered 1, 2, and 3.