From May 1872 to January 1875, at least twelve Masons from Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 first became Royal Arch Masons and then received their Chivalric Orders from the newly established Old Dominion Commandery No. 11 in Alexandria, Virginia.

On January 13, 1875, a petition was introduced by these Fredericksburg Knight Templars and was read at Old Dominion Commandery, requesting the establishment of a new Commandery in Fredericksburg. Once placed in the minutes, it was forwarded to the Grand Recorder, Grand Commandery of Virginia.

This petition was approved by the Grand Commandery of Virginia and on January 20, 1875, Fredericksburg Commandery (under dispensation) received its orders and Sir Knight Robert S. Chew was selected to be the first Eminent Commander (designate), with Sir Knight J. Willard Adams as Generalissimo (designate) and Sir Knight James Corbin as Captain General (designate).

Founding members of Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1 are as follows (with the Masonic titles that each eventually achieved):

Brother W. J. Moon (Merchant) Brother J.C. Barry (Manufacturer)

Most Worshipful Silvanus J. Quinn (Printer) Brother E.M. McDowell (Clerk)

Right Worshipful James P. Corbin (Farmer) Brother Charles Fitchett (Clerk)

Right Worshipful Robert S Chew (Clerk of the Court) Worshipful J. Willard Adams (Bookseller)

Worshipful Albert B. Botts (Insurance Agent) Brother W.L. Staughton (Merchant Miller)

Worshipful William H. Russell (Manufacturer) Brother E.A. Jones (Physician)

At that time, Brother Silvanus Jackson Quinn was Master of Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, and he would go on to become Grand Master of Masons in Virginia in 1907. Another person of interest is James Corbin, who would go on to become Grand Commander from 1894-1895 and eventually the Recorder for the Grand Encampment of Knight Templars of the United States.

During the Civil War, West Virginia separated from Virginia. Following the war, Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Knight Templars in Virginia shows that Wheeling Commandery No. 1 remained in the books but showed no returns for as late as 1873.

With the constituting of the Grand Commandery of Knight Templars in West Virginia in 1874, Virginia’s proceedings showed that Wheeling Commandery No. 1 was now beholden to West Virginia, and it was therefore decided to remove that Commandery from Virginia’s roster.

By 1875, the Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Knight Templars in Virginia showed that the numerical designation of No. 1 was immediately reassigned to the new Fredericksburg Commandery.

Although chartered at Grand Conclave on October 18, 1875, Sir Knight Robert E. Withers, Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templars in Virginia, under the escort of the fraters from Old Dominion Commandery No. 11, constituted Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1 in ceremony on February 22, 1876.

It should be noted that because Old Dominion Commandery No. 11 was the parent organization from which Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1 was established, the Sir Knights of Fredericksburg ensured that these fraters received a proper invitation to this first Chivalric celebration and festival in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The Grand Commander reports that the ceremonies and events of that day demonstrated that the proficiency in drill and ritual by the new Commandery, “augurs well for their future success” and their asylum was recording their compliment at twenty-six members, with eleven new Knight Templars created during their first year.

Sir Knight James E. Alexander, who was Recorder for Old Dominion Commandery No. 11, reported the February 22, 1876, events as follows:

The lines were formed and the Commandery marched to the residence of R. E. Sir R .E. Withers, Grand Commander of Virginia and escorted him to the depot of the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad where the command took the 9-10 for Fredericksburg, Va.

Arriving at that place was met at the depot by Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1 and by them escorted to the hotel where quarters had been secured and where refreshments were served by the Fredericksburg Sir Knights. The Command was then dismissed and at one o’clock dinner was served.

The Commandery then received orders to assemble in full dress uniform at 3 P.M. when this commandery escorted by Fredericksburg No. 1 paraded through the principal streets of the city.

At about 4 P.M. this command (Old Dominion) and Fredericksburg were drilled in the presence of the Grand Commander and by him inspected and reviewed.

At 7 P.M. the Commandery marches to the asylum of Fredericksburg No. 1 and participated in the ceremonies of constituting that Commandery, after which under escort of Fredericksburg, Old Dominion marches to the hotel and partook of a generous banquet which had been spread in honor of Old Dominion.

At 1 A.M. 23d inst. The commandery took the returning train for Alexandria arriving at 4 A.M. when the command was dismissed and returned to their homes, delighted with their entertainment and the pleasures of the day.

During a Templar festival at Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1 in October 1967, at which an Old Dominion team conferred the Order of the Red Cross on forty candidates, a framed resolution was noted on the wall of the dressing area of the asylum. It reads, “Old Dominion proudly acknowledges its paternal relationship to Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1” and was signed by F. A. Reed, Eminent Commander, Old Dominion Commandery No. 11 in 1875.

On March 19, 2014, a descendant of one of Fredericksburg Commandery’s charter members requested research assistance from the Commandery. Sir Knight Shelby Chandler, who was Eminent Commander at the time, assisted her in compiling genealogical and Masonic data on Sir Knight Charles A. Jones and in gratitude, that descendant provided Fredericksburg Commandery a digital copy of an 1876 resolution given to and maintained by her family.

The following is the text information of the December 1876 Resolution that was returned to Fredericksburg Commandery from the Jones family archives:

At a stated assembly of Fredericksburg Commandery Knight Templars, No. 1 Virginia, the following resolutions were passed unanimously:

Whereas it has pleased the Supreme Architect of the Universe to remove by death on the 12th day of December 1876, our much beloved Sir Knight, Dr. Charles A Jones, from this life of pilgrimage to an incorruptible and eternal inheritance above; and whereas we deem it right and proper to express our appreciation of his great worth and many virtues, and our deep sorrow and irreparable loss in his death, therefore,

Resolved, that while we bow submissively to the (end?) dispensation of God’s providence which so unexpectedly removed from us Brother, Companion and Frater in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness, and while we would not “Sorrow as those who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) yet we do most deeply feel and deplore the loss of a member and officer of this Commandery, who, from its organization, has counselled and cooperated with us in everything which tended to promote its interest, growth and prosperity.

Resolved, that in Sir Knight Jones we recognize those noble qualities of head and heart which are essential in the true Templar Mason. He was noble and generous of heart, kind and benevolent in disposition, courteous in manner, upright in deportment, just in his dealings, a useful and honorable citizen, a Christian gentleman.

Resolved, that in the sudden death of Sir Knight Jones who was full of life and hope, and who had the promise of many years before him, we have another lesson of the uncertainty of human life and of the importance of ever being prepared for death while in this probationary state, for, we know that the seasons of birds and bloom may come again, the clouds may return after the rain, the tide may return from the swelling sea, the gold in the west today may purple in the east tomorrow, but the soul that quits its tenements of clay will never come back again – it has passed the portals of death to appear at the judgment seat of Christ.

Resolved, that this Commandery tenders to the bereaved family of our esteemed and lamented Sir Knight, its earnest sympathy and heart felt condolence and would commend them for consolation in their hour of grief to that compassionate Heavenly Father who is “too wise to err and too good to be unkind” (Psalm 112:7) in his dealing with his children.

Resolved, that these resolutions be spread upon our minute book and an official copy of the same be forwarded by the Recorder to the family of our deceased Frater.

Respectfully Submitted

Officers Signature listed

Dr. Charles Alexander Jones succumbed to pneumonia on December 12, 1876, at the age of 42 and is buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg near his wife and two children. On April 17, 2014, the 1876 resolution was read to the fraters of the Fredericksburg asylum and was again returned to the minutes of the Commandery’s archives.

While there are future opportunities for Fredericksburg Fraters (because of the many upcoming leaders in today’s Fredericksburg asylum), Fredericksburg Commandery can only claim Sir Knight James P. Corbin, who became a Grand Commanders of Virginia in 1894-1895.

References:

Chandler, Shelby L., 2014, Requiem for a Templar, Fredericksburg

https//drive.google.com/file/d/1H7qWBiUQpq8T0qi5JI6XXNIdb8Lc9nhb/view?usp=share_link

Chandler, Shelby L., 2020, Past Masters of Fredericksburg Lodge and Other Honorable Mentions, Fredrcksburg, https//drive.google.com/file/d/18bQKUNAwpPzEW_EHE09d77FB3QrAzvYN/view?ups=share_link

Grand Commander of Virginia, 1860-1880, Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia, Grand Conclave Minutes, Richmond: Grand Commandery of Virginia

McMarlin, Robert D., 1972, The Knights Templar of Old Alexandria, Alexandria: Old Dominion Commandery No. 11

By Sir Knight Shelby Chandler, PC, Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1