Masonic Funeral 1871

[Bushrod Carter]

I found this print for sale on eBay (and I think it is still available), and thought y'all may find it interesting. This is from a weekly magazine like Harpers but of some other title.

Look at the Brother at the head of the column. He carries a sword. Is he the Tyler? By the way he sits a horse and carries that sword, I'd almost be willing to bet that he had done that some years before!

You can also see that, although mounted, they are wearing aprons and that each member is wearing a collar of some sort.

Are the Brothers holding the staves Stewarts or Deacons?

And, I find it interesting that they are LEADING the wagon with the coffin and NOT following it.

Ok, what do all of you think?

[PvtSchultz]

Bro Pat,

I am going to take a shot and say that person in the lead is not the Tyler. I also don't see and apron or jewel around his neck, not sure if it was omited or if the person leading the precession just was a non Mason. How accurate the drawing is, all depends on what the artist felt was important and how he/she wanted to represent the event as.

Most precessions, such as that during a funeral/wake, would be led by the Marshall not the Tyler. Also in a ceremony or precession such as this, usually the Deacons are the only ones with rods/staves and will generally flank the Worshipful Master or Grand Master depending on who is in charge and/or present. Following the W.M. would be the Senior/Junior Wardens & other Lodge Officers with Past Masters next and white apron brethren taking up the rear. However if you were to include Grand Lodge Officers, then they would be in front, then the Lodge Officers.

Protocol for this type of stuff is most likely different than what would have been in place back then so your best bet would be to find a copy of a period ritual/monitor (Duncans etc) and see what could be learned from those sources. But that being said, the print is something to behold. Masonic services were handled differently based on whether it was held graveside of at a "home" adjacent to the coffin. Maybe this was more of what we would call an "escort?"

Fraternally Yours,
Bro Rich Schultz, P.M.
Clifton Lodge #203 F&AM

[MELowe]

Brethren:

The image is indeed striking and fairly accurate, although, I feel some liberties were taken by the artist/engraver.

I have in my possession, several variations of the Masonic Memorial/Funeral service, the oldest being a copy from Webb's Freemason's Monitor (from the edition printed in 1812). From these, I must disagree with Bro Schultz and surmise that even though the man with drawn sword is not properly clothed, he is more than likely the Tyler. (The omission of an apron could simply be an oversight on the part of the artist, unfamiliar with the Craft.) Further, the brothers with rods are the Stewards, and not Deacons.

Each of these rituals, except one, lists the following order for the procession from the Lodge/Home/Church to the grave:

Tyler, with drawn sword
Stewards, with white rods
Musicians (if they are Masons, otherwise they follow the Tyler)
Master Masons
Senior and Junior Deacons
Secretary and Treasurer
Senior and Junior Wardens
Past Masters
The Holy Writings, on a cushion, covered by a black cloth, carried by the oldest member of the Lodge
The Master
The Clergy
The Body, with the insignia placed thereon, with two swords crossed
The Pall Bearers
The Mourners

The other, an old York Rite inclusive service published in 1859 adds Mark Masters before PMs, Royal Arch Masons, Select Master and Knights Templar after the PMs and before the Holy Writings. Now, on the off chance the Grand officers were included as a body, I believe they would follow the order of procession used for them (i.e. for cornerstone layings, etc.) and would fall in behind Past Masters/Masters. (See Webb 1864, p. 126)

Still, it is a very interseting engraving of a mounted procession.

Fraternally,

[Bushrod Carter]

Still, it is a very interseting engraving of a mounted procession.




I think that is what struck me the most - the fact that they ARE mounted and not on foot.

[PvtSchultz]

Bro Matthew,

I also noticed the lack of a "jewel" around the neck of the man leading the precession. Notice that those behind all appear to have the jewel of their office on? Again it could have been an oversight or a non mason, without more information to go on it really is all a guessing game. Sorry the histroian in me doesn't take things for granted without proper evidence though I believe you are probably correct in your opinion.

Fraternally yours