Marmaduke Dove, Grand Master, 1839
This Brother,
having previously occupied the East in Union Lodge, No. 6, and
later affiliated with Naval Lodge, No. 4, was installed
Worshipful Master of the latter Lodge in 1819, the first chosen
for the full present term of twelve months. "Captain" Dove, as
he was universally known, was an officer in the Navy, and for
many years held a responsible position in the Navy Yard in
Washington. He is described as having been a man of unusually
commanding presence and genial, magnetic personality.
Brother
Dove's zeal, fidelity, and attachment to Masonry is evidenced by
the fact that besides serving Naval Lodge as its principal
officer during the years 1819, 1820, 1821, 1824, 1825, 1830,
1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1836, 1837, and 1841, he also held the
positions of Junior Grand Warden in 1831; Senior Grand Warden,
1820, 1832, and 1834; Deputy Grand Master, 1821, 1836, 1838, and
1843, and Grand Master in 1839.
His death
occurred July 3, 1846, at the advanced age of seventy years. His
remains lie in Congressional Cemetery.
In addition
to his naval service Brother Dove took an active interest in
municipal affairs, serving for some time as a Common Councilman
and on the old Board of Alderman, and in testimony of the esteem
in which he was held by his associates his funeral was attended
by the Board of Aldermen and Board of Common Council, by order
of the Mayor.
At the
communication of December 27, 1838, after his installation as
Grand Master, M. W. Brother Dove at once installed his venerable
associate, Brother Isaac Kell, as Grand Senior Warden, and the
following extract from the Proceedings of that year is given as
of interest in view of the fact that the years of persecution
were then drawing to a close:
This part of
the ceremony [installation of Brother Kell] was peculiarly
impressive. Here were two of the venerable chiefs of the Order,
whose locks were whitened with the snows of many winters, who
had espoused the cause of Freemasonry upwards of twenty years
since; had rejoiced in the days of its prosperity; had fought
side by side in the days of its adversity; who had borne the
reproach, and whose attachments were increased by the fires of
persecution. Now they had met as the two principal officers of
the institution, to aid their junior brethren in accelerating
the great work of science and benevolence, which form the ground
work of the Order.
AHGP
District of Columbia
Source: History of the Grand Lodge and
Freemasonry in the District of Columbia, compiled by W. Brother
Kenton N. Harper, 1911.
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