Mordecai Campanall

In Rhode Island, the name of Mordecai Campanall, one of the first Jews at Newport, is connected by tradition and a document with Masonry.

Mr. J. L. Gould, of Connecticut, in his Manual entitled "Guide to the Chapter", published in 1868, made this statement:

"The earliest account of the introduction of Masonry into the United States is the history of a lodge organized in Rhode Island, A. D. 1658, or 59 years before the revival in England and 75 years before the establishment of the first lodge in Massachusetts."

In its support Gould quoted the following passage from Rev. Edward Peterson's "History of Rhode Island" (New York, 1853, p. 101):

"In the Spring of 1658, Mordecai Campannall, Moses Peckekoe [Pacheco], Levi, and others, in all fifteen families, arrived at Newport from Holland. They brought with them the three first degrees of Masonry, and worked them in the house of Campannall; and continued to do so, they and their successors, to the year 1742."

Dr. Peterson gave Mr. N. H. Gould, of Newport, as his authority.

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, wishing in 1870 to obtain further information in regard to this assertion, wrote, through its Grand Master, to Mr. Nathan H. Gould, 33d degree, who had been Master of St. John's Lodge of Newport in 1857, and was a member of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, for the evidence upon which Dr. Peterson's statement was based. There was received a long reply, which is printed in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, for 1870 (p. 358). In this reply Gould, writing from Newport, stated that inquiry on the subject had been made of him at various times by Masons and by Israelites, and that he had shown his data to Dr. Peterson who had studied them out with him, and that he had also spoken about the matter in an address before St. John's Lodge, of Newport, when he was its Master. [14] He added that there were well-authenticated traditions among some of the Masons who had devoted not a little time and energy in collecting and preserving them, supporting Dr. Peterson's statement.

[See Appendix A for continued discussion on this topic. --ed]

Mr. N. H. Gould is also given as the authority for the following statement, quoted in Judge Charles P. Daly's "Settlement of the Jews in North America" (p. 78):

"Among the earliest lodges of Freemasons were the following Israelites: Isaac Isaacs, money-broker; Solomon Aaron Myers, Joseph Jacobs, Abraham Mendez, Eleazar Eleazar, Moses Isaacs, and Isaac Eleazar."

These names are given in Judge Daly's work as names of seventeenth century Jews. This is evidently a misinterpretation of Gould's communication. "Earliest lodges" refers to the earliest of the regularly constituted lodges after the revival of Freemasonry -- St. John's Lodge of Newport, organized in 1749. These names and others are found in a list of 113 "members of St. John's Lodge of Newport previous to the 24th of June, 1791," appearing in a reprint of the "Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, 1791-1820".

The Jewish names mentioned in that list are as follows:

Moses Seixas, Master; Moses M. Hays, Jacob Isaacs, Isaac Isaacs, Moses Isaacs, Eleazer Elizer, Isaac Elizer, David Lopez, Sen., Ab. P. Mendez, David Lopez, Jr., Joseph Jacobs, Isaac Judah, and Barrak Hays. The name Solomon A. Myers seems to have been omitted from this list, though he was known to be a Mason before 1791.

On inquiry of Mr. Ara Hildreth, the venerable secretary of St. John's Lodge, of Newport, regarding early Jewish members of that lodge, and the dates of their admission, the following reply was received:

"I find that Christian Myers joined St. John's Lodge in 1755; Moses Isaacs, Isaac Isaacs, 1760; David Lopez, 1762; Jacob Isaacs, 1763; Moses Lopez, 1763; Isaac Elizer, 1765; Eleazer Elizer, Isaac Elizer, Moses M. Hays, Isaac Isaacs, David Lopez, Jr., Solo. A. Myers, Abraham P. Mendez, Moses Seixas, Jacob Jacobs, 1790; Barrak Hays, 1791. All who joined in 1790 came from King David's Lodge, and I think they remained members of St. John's Lodge until their death.

The name Christian Myers given by Hildreth is probably that of a converted Jew, being spelled in the reprint just mentioned Mayers. It was no doubt given because of the appearance of the name Solo. A. Myers. He also gives Jacob Jacobs, and does not give Joseph Jacobs, whose name appears in the reprint. A Jacob Jacobs married a sister of Moses M. Hays. [24] He is probably the Mason referred to by Hildreth.

In the reprint a Joseph Jacobs is also mentioned as a member of St. John's Lodge, of Providence, before 1791. He is probably identical with the Joseph Jacobs of the lodge at Newport.

From the same volume of reprinted lodge proceedings, it appears that Sheftall Sheftall, in 1793, and Abraham Massias, in 1800, became members of St. John's Lodge of Newport.

Sheftall Sheftall was the son of Mordecai Sheftall and was born in Savannah in 1762. At the early age of 15 he was assistant to his father who was Commissary General to the Georgia troops during the Revolution. [25]

Abraham Massias may be identical with A. A. Massias mentioned by Rev. H. S. Morais [26] as serving in the War of 1812, and also by Rev. B. A. Elzas. The last gives the epitaph on his tombstone in Charleston where he died June 28, 1848, aged 76 years. [27] The epitaph reads: "Receiving his brevet for twenty years' service in the field, he was subsequently appointed Paymaster of the Army of the United States, discharging his duties with distinguished integrity and uprightness." Massias was also a member of the Beth Elohim Congregation of Charleston in 1804. [28]

Isaac Elizer, mentioned by Hildreth as admitted as a Mason in 1765, is no doubt the same whose naturalization was refused by the Superior Court of Rhode Island in 1762, on the ground that he was a Jew. [29]

The Isaac Elizer, mentioned by Hildreth as admitted in 1790, in King David's Lodge, if not the same as the Mason admitted in 1765, was perhaps his son or nephew. He and Eleazer Elizer, admitted in 1790, seem to have gone to Charleston, as they are mentioned as members of the Beth Elohim Congregation there in 1800. [30] Eleazer Elizer there became connected with the Masonic fraternity.

Of Moses Isaacs, mentioned by Hildreth as a Mason in 1760, it is said that he had the honor of entertaining George Washington as a guest at his house in Newport. The date is not given. Isaacs served in the Revolutionary War. [31]

King David's Lodge

King David's Lodge, spoken of by Mr. Hildreth above, was a lodge originally organized in New York in 1769 by Moses M. Hays, as Master, and removed by him to Newport [Rhode Island] in 1780 when it was established there with Hays as Master, Moses Seixas as Senior Warden, David Lopez as Junior Warden, and Solo. A. Myers as Deacon. [32]

Shortly after its establishment in Newport, General Washington was expected in that city. The lodge then considered the question of addressing him as a Mason, and Hays, Seixas and others were appointed a committee to draft the proposed address. At a meeting of the lodge, held at the request of the Master, February 14, 1781, the committee presented their report to the effect that, for reasons stated by them, they thought it inexpedient for the lodge then to make the address. It seems that Washington had not at that time been Master of his lodge. The report was received, and the address ordered to be laid aside at that time. [33] When Washington again visited Newport in 1790, King David's Lodge, of which Moses Seixas was then Master, presented him with the following address, which, on the evening of August 17, 1790, Seixas and two others, as a committee, had been appointed to prepare (Hayden, supra, pp. 130-132):

ADDRESS

Of the Master, Wardens and Brethren of King David's Lodge, to George Washington, President of the United States of America.

Sir.

WE the Master, Wardens and Brethren of King David's Lodge, in Newport, Rhode Island, joyfully embrace this opportunity, to greet you as a Brother, and to hail you welcome to Rhode Island.

We exult in the thought, that as Masonry has always been patronized by the wise, the good, and the great, so hath it stood, and ever will stand, as its fixtures are on the immutable pillars of faith, hope and charity.

With unspeakable pleasure, we gratulate you as filling the Presidential Chair, with the applause of a numerous and enlightened people; whilst at the same time, we felicitate ourselves in the honour done the brotherhood, by your many exemplary rirtues, and emanations of goodness proceeding from a heart worthy of possessing the ancient mysteries of our craft, being persuaded that the wisdom and grace, with which Heaven has endowed you, will eventually square all your thoughts, words and actions by the eternal laws of honour, equity and truth; so as to promote the advancement of all good works, your own happiness, and that of mankind. Permit us then, illustrious Brother, cordially to salute you, with three times three, and to add our fervent supplications, that the Sovereign Architect of the Universe may always encompass you with his holy protection.

By Order,

William Littlefield, Secretary. Newport, August 17, 1790.

This address, though dated August 17, was not delivered until the next morning. [34]

Washington responded as follows:

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of King David's Lodge in Newport, Rhode Island.

Gentlemen:

I Receive the welcome which you give me to Rhode Island with pleasure: and I acknowledge my obligations for the flattering expressions of regard contained in your Address with grateful sincerity. Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interest of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving Brother. My best wishes, Gentlemen, are offered for your individual happiness.

G. Washington.

The authenticity of this correspondence, which was questioned during the anti-Masonic excitement but as to which there is now no doubt, was affirmed by Hayden (supra), who speaks of it as "the earliest Presidential Masonic correspondence that exists on record." [35]

There was no Grand Lodge in Rhode Island when the letter to Washington was written. That was formed only in 1791. King David's Lodge and a Providence lodge were the only working lodges in the State when Washington visited Newport, the former being more active.

Moses Seixas

An account of the activity of Moses Seixas in Masonry is to be found in Pugg's History. From this it appears, as already stated, that Seixas became connected with King David's Lodge of Newport, on its establishment in that city by Moses M. Hays, June 7, 1780. At that time Hays conferred on him the degrees of the Scottish Rite. The lodge flourished for some ten years, when it was determined to close it, and at its close to revive the St. John's Lodge of Newport, which had declined during the Revolution and many of the members of which had joined King David's Lodge when organized.

Seixas was one of the committee appointed to revive the St. John's Lodge when King David's should cease to exist. In the revival, 130 members of King David's and 11 members of St. John's Lodge participated. The merger took place October 19, 1790, the merged lodge being known thenceforth as St. John's Lodge, No. 1, of Newport. Moses Seixas was elected its first Master, and held that office until his death in 1809. His position in King David's Lodge after 1780, when he was Senior Warden, is not stated by Dr. Rugg, but a letter to the writer in 1905 from Mr. S. Penrose Williams, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, is authority for the statement that Seixas was Master of King David's Lodge from 1783, and thereafter by successive elections until the lodge was merged with the old St. John's Lodge in 1790. Previous to 1783, says Mr. Williams, Moses M. Hays was Master.

Seixas as Master of King David's Lodge, in December, 1787, wrote a long letter to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, in answer to an inquiry as to the standing of Masonry in Rhode Island. This letter, says Rugg, [36] was undoubtedly composed by Seixas who, he adds, was a respectable merchant in Newport, and whose residence on Washington Square was later the property of Commodore O. H. Perry.

Seixas was elected Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island in 1791, and held that office until 1800 when he became Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. This position he held until 1802 when he became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. He held the office of Grand Master for seven consecutive years, his successor being elected June 26, 1809. He was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in 1793, being then Deputy Inspector General of Masonry for Rhode Island, appointed by Hays. The Royal Arch has been termed, remarked Rugg, " the root, heart and marrow of Masonry." When the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Rhode Island was established in 1799, Seixas was elected its first Grand High Priest, and served in that capacity until the election of 1804.

As Grand Master he conducted, in 1803, the dedication ceremonies of the Masonic Hall of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, in Newport, and also signed the charters of the following lodges: St. Alban's, No. 6, in Bristol, in 1802; Friendship, No. 7, Chepachet, in 1805; Mount Moriah, No. 8, Smithfield, in 1805; Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Pawtuxet, in 1808, and Union Lodge, No. 10, Pawtucket, in 1809.

"Seixas was widely and favorably known among Masons, and his Masonic skill was evinced in many ways and on frequent occasions. He was foremost among those who established the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, being at that time Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge in Newport, and the Chairman of a committee representing that lodge, which committee, acting in conjunction with a similar committee appointed by St. John's Lodge, Providence, formulated a plan for constituting the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. Because of his representative capacity, and his ability, he was called upon to preside at the constituting of Grand Lodge, 1791, and as installing officer he inducted Christopher Champiin into his office as Grand Master of Masonry, and the other designated officers into their respective places. ... In 1802 he was elected Grand Master, continuing to hold office, by annual re-elections, until 1809. His administration of Grand Lodge affairs during this long term of seven years was very much to his credit. It was at this period, and somewhat by his efforts, that Masonry made rapid progress in Rhode Island, and became more systematized in the expression of its principles and purposes. Seixas was active and proficient in all departments of Freemasonry as recognized at his time, and had been advanced to foremost place in the Scottish Rite. His greatest interest, however, was centered in the Blue Lodge. . . .For the last fourteen years of his life Seixas held the position of Cashier in the Bank of Rhode Island, Christopher Champiin being the President of the same institution." [37]

Seixas died in New York, at the house of his son-in-law, Naphtali Phillips, November 29, 1809, aged 66, while on a visit to that city.

His body was laid to rest in the Jewish cemetery at Newport, and the burial place marked by a monument which states the fact of his connection with the Masonic fraternity, and of his having held the office of its Grand Master.

The inscription on his monument is as follows: [38]

MATSEBETH

MONUMENT OF

MOSES SEIXAS

Died 4th Chislev 5570 Being November 29, 1809, aged 66.

He was Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of the Masonic
Order of this State and Cashier of
the Bank of Rhode Island from its
Commencement to his Death.