John H. Cocke’s Account of the Central College Cornerstone Laying, [5–6 October 1817]
I. John H. Cocke’s Account of the Central College Cornerstone Laying
[5–6 Oct. 1817]
| 5. | Sunday—Set out immediately after Breakfast accompanied by my friend N. Faulcon to attend the regular meeting of the Visitors of the Central College according to the law of incorporation at Charlottesville on 1st day of each Circuit Court. Spring & Fall.Reached Monticello about 3 O’Clock where we met Mr Madison & Mr Cabell who together with Mr Jefferson & myself insured a quorum. The president Monroe was however known to be at his Seat in the Neighbourhood & Major Watson of Louisa the only remaining Visitor was certainly expected—Spent the Evening at Monticello—where we understood every arrangment was already made for laying the Corner stone of the Central College on the next day—& that the two Masonic Lodges of Albemarle has requested to assist in the Ceremony.— |
| 6. | Monday—Left Monticello after Breakfast & repair’d to Charlottesville—from whence, at 1 O’Clock the Masonic procession consisting of a numerous assemblage of the Members of the Lodges No 60 & 90 & many visiting Brothers took up the line of march which was the signal for the Visitors to repair to an appointed place near the site for joining the procession—As soon as the Grand Master in the Masonic procession passed the 6 visitors in two ranks followed—the first rank—Composed of1 Mr Jefferson, Mr Madison & Mr Monroe—the 2d of Mr Cabell, Major Watson, & myself—& in this order we approach the Corner of the building untill the head of the Masonic column nearly reached the spot—when a signal being given—the Masons halted, opened to the right & left & faced inward leaving a space sufficient between their lines for the Grand Master carrying all the ensignia of his grade & supported on his right by a minister of the Gospel bearing the sacred Volume of our holy Religion open in his hands followed by the 6 visitors who in this order advanced to the spot—the Grand Master & the Minister placing themselves immediately before the Corner, & the Visitors to their right—The Masons then advanced & displayed to the right & left & the spectators arranged themselves around the foundation.2—The blessings of God were then invoked upon our undertaking in a short & appropriate prayer from the Minister—After which the Grand Master made short address to the Visitors expressive of the gratification of his fraternity in being called to assist in so praiseworthy & honorable an undertaking & thence3 proceeded under permission of the Visitors, in conformity to the ancient Masonic usage on similar occasions to pour out Wine & Oil, & scatter grain on the Corner stone—This done the Visitors were invited to try the square, the level, & the plumb—& the duty being assigned to the President Monroe he applied the three4 instruments to the stone, which being afterwards done by the Grand Master it was pronounced by him to be “true & trusty.”—The Minister again invoked a blessing upon the institution which was followed by an anthem, which was succeeded by a speech upon the occasion from Mr V. W5 Southall—& thus the ceremony closed— |
MS (ViU: JHC); diary entry entirely in Cocke’s hand; partially dated; extracted from entries for 5–6 Oct. 1817.
1. Manuscript: “of of.”
2. Reworked from “building.”
3. Manuscript: “thenc.”
4. Manuscript: “the these.”
5. Manuscript: “M.”
Index Entries
- Albemarle County Superior Court of Law, Va. search
- Bible; mentioned search
- Cabell, Joseph Carrington; and Central College cornerstone laying search
- Cabell, Joseph Carrington; visits Monticello search
- Central College; and Freemasons search
- Central College; cornerstone laying search
- Central College Board of Visitors; and cornerstone laying search
- Central College Board of Visitors; meetings of search
- Charlottesville, Va.; Freemasons of search
- Charlottesville Lodge No. 90 (Masonic); and Central College cornerstone laying search
- Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); and Central College cornerstone laying search
- Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); visits Monticello search
- corn; ceremonial use of search
- Faulcon, Nicholas; and J. H. Cocke search
- Freemasonry; and Central College search
- Highland (J. Monroe’s Albemarle Co. estate); J. Monroe at search
- Madison, James (1751–1836); and Central College cornerstone laying search
- Madison, James (1751–1836); visits Monticello search
- Monroe, James; and Central College cornerstone laying search
- Monticello (TJ’s Albemarle Co. estate); Visitors to; Cabell, Joseph C. search
- Monticello (TJ’s Albemarle Co. estate); Visitors to; Cocke, John H. search
- Monticello (TJ’s Albemarle Co. estate); Visitors to; Madison, Dolley and James search
- oil; ceremonial use of search
- Southall, Valentine Wood; and Central College cornerstone laying search
- tools; levels search
- tools; plumbs search
- tools; squares search
- Watson, David (1773–1830); and Central College cornerstone laying search
- Widow’s Sons’ Lodge No. 60 (Masonic); and Central College cornerstone laying search
- wine; ceremonial use of search