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Please do not assume that a book's appearance in 'The Builder' library means it can be used in any manner anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe. The Webmaster Digitized by the Internet Archive ih 2007 with funding from Microsoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/thomasdunckerleyOOsadliala THOMAS DUNCKERLEY, HIS LIFE, LABOURS, AND LETTERS, INCLUDING SOME |jttft#0ntc anfc OF THE 18TH CENTURY, BY . HENRY SADLER, P.M. & P.Z., GRAND TYLER AND SUB-LIBRARIAN OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND. Author of "Masonic Facts and Fictions" &V. " St toil's a featljer, anU a rljt'ef a toft ; n Jjonest man's tije noblest toorft of ffloU," POPE. DIPROSE & BATEMAN, SHEFFIELD STREET, W.C. SPENCER & Co., GEORGE KENNING, 15, GREAT QUEEN STREET, W.C. 16 & i6A, GREAT QUEEN STREET, W.C. 1891. LONDON I DIPROSE*, BATEMAN AND CO., PRINTERS, LINCOLN'S INN, w.c. flight Morsljtpful ^roiritmal antr Itstrict dranfr antt l^rapteb Jlaaona, otrctr Jltemorials of a ttt (irantr ^rinnpUa of tlje Ijint ^rc-ntinet anumfl lj ant* fmtevvmlhj London, 1891. PREFACE. it is an idle or |JH ETHER story not that Dunckerley at the age of ten years selected the motto, "Honestas " et Fcrlitudo is of little matter. It cannot, how- ever, be denied that his life was ruled by the principles it teaches, and it would be a pity if such man should be for- gotten. That his services to Freemasonry were great is certain, as also that they were fully appreciated by the Masons of his own time. To him Masonry was not a pastime or amusement for idle hours. When, in his letters, he invites to his Lodge any serious brother, he evidently expresses his own view of the craft. It is a serious subject, and one with which he might well join his motto "Honestas et Fortitude" The life of a brother, who devoted his time, thoughts, intellect, and substance to the craft, and literally died in harness, can never be without interest to the thinking Mason. In my opinion, therefore, it was a good thought of Brother Sadler when he had the opportunity of gathering together such a series of Masonic memorials, to place them in our hands in a collected and convenient form. feared in In reply to the possible, and it is to be many his cases probable question, with which he commences book, Brother Sadler, has with considerable labour arranged in vi Preface. order a large amount of information bearing on the connexion of Dunckerley with Freemasonry. It is true that most of the incidents of his private life have appeared in print before, but other facts and explanations are intro- duced, now rendering the story more complete. The romantic history of his birth and career are full of interest and will well bear telling again. Whatever maybe the opinion as to the truth or falsity of the story of his parentage, it is clear that he himself believed it, and from the fact that he received many advantages, as well as a substantial pension, it seems certain that it was also believed by others, who had the power to help him. His success in early life, marked as it was by his occupying a position which even at that time was only open to men of ability, shows clearly that he rose by his extra- ordinary perseverance and faithful performance of his duties. This same honesty of purpose, and strength of will was continued in his Masonic career, as may be easily seen from his letters, which now appear in print for the first time. In following his Masonic career and the history of the many lodges with which his name is connected, Bro. Sadler has been able to collect much that is both new and valuable. I may particularly mention the very early minutes of the Lodge of Friendship held at the Castle, Highgate, which it is to be hoped will ere long be printed in full. Many other notes of interest might be pointed out did space allow, but these must be left to each reader to discover for himself. I may, however, say a few words with reference to the Preface. vii heraldic illustrations and seals. The Book-plate, is of con- siderable interest, and I must not omit to express my thanks to Dr. Jackson Howard who very kindly allowed me the use of the fine example preserved in his splendid collection. It is I believe, as rare as it is curious, possibly because Dunckerley was not a great collector of books. One some- what defaced copy was shown to me by Bro. Sadler in a copy of Smith's Freemason's Pocket Companion, 1738, in the library of the Grand Lodge, and it is interesting to note that it also contains the impression of a plate, without a name, but bearing a quartered coat (1st and 4th Gules a cross patonce Or, on a chief Azure, three round buckles of the second) which is that borne by the family of Heseltine. I take it to be the plate used by the Grand Secretary of that name, and the book may perhaps have been a present from one to the other. The plate used by Dunckerley is well engraved upon copper, in what collectors describe as the Chippendale style, and bears upon the lowest centre ornament the name of the engraver, LEVI SCUL, PORTSM. In Lord de Tabley's work " " entitled it is The Study of Bookplates (p. 173.), entered under the year 1750, a date which judging from the style of ornament, could, I imagine, not be disputed. "Within a shield and border of the period is contained the Royal Arms as borne by George II. when King, the reputed father of Dunckerley, marked with the baton sinister, or badge of illegitimacy. This is surmounted by the royal " crest, and below is the motto, Fain non merito" applying his very aptly, when thus placed. Below this again are viii Preface. " names, with the addition of the words Fitz George," said to have been also used by Dunckerley in his familiar corre- spondence. The date 1750, although it undoubtedly suits the style of the ornaments presents a little difficulty when we glance over the events of Dunckerley's life. He did not become aware of his real parentage until after the death of his mother, which occurred ten years later than the date of the plate, in January, 1760. According to his own statement after he had heard the confession he continued his duties in the Navy and travelled abroad until 1765. In that year he removed his family from Plymouth to Somerset House, and in May, ] 767, the first portion of his pension was in that also he was first granted ; year appointed Prov. G.M. It is only natural to suppose that having little or no need for a book plate, Dunckerley would not have ventured to take these arms and the addition of Fitz George before his claim had been allowed, or at least before he left the Naval Service (1764), and settled down permanently. The only explanation I can offer is, that his book plate though engraved probably between 1760 and 1769 or perhaps even later, represents in an imitated form the style of an earlier period, copied, it may be, from some plate which he himself admired. His armorial seal, given on page 233, is engraved with the same arms, crest, motto, and abatement. It is well executed, and judging from the very floral style of the orna- ments, was most probably engraved at a later date than the book-plate.