Robert Keyworth, Grand Master, 1840-41
and 1843
Brother
Keyworth was born in 1795, and died February 18, 1856, and from
the age of twenty-five until his passing away was an interested,
active, and valued member of the local Fraternity, and while
failing health in his later years prevented his participation in
the affairs of his subordinate lodge he was rarely absent from a
meeting of the Grand Lodge. His unfaltering fidelity to the
Craft and zealous discharge of his duties during the period when
Masonry was perhaps at its lowest ebb undoubtedly contributed in
no small degree to the rehabilitation of the Order in the
District.
Throughout
his long and busy career he was a leader among his associates in
every walk of life and was universally revered and respected. He
was a watchmaker and jeweler, doing business on Pennsylvania
Avenue, west of Ninth Street, was a citizen of prominence, and
participated in all the progressive movements of the day.
He was also
for many years interested in the local military and held a
commission as Major in the 1st Regt, D. C. Vols., which
organization, at his death, passed appropriate resolutions and
desired to parade at the funeral but refrained in deference to
the wishes of his family.
The
interment, which was attended by an unusual concourse, was at
Congressional Cemetery and under the direction of the Grand
Lodge.
Brother
Keyworth was initiated in Lebanon Lodge, March 3, 1820; passed
March 17, 1820; raised October 6, 1820; was Junior Warden in
1837; Senior Warden, 1835 and 1838, and Master, 1831, '32, '39,
'40, '44-'47. He was made an honorary member of his lodge April
7, 1848.
In the Grand
Lodge he served as Grand Treasurer during the years 1838 and
1839, and Grand Master, as shown above.
As a
Capitular Mason he was also active and was a charter member of
Columbia R. A. Chapter, No. 15 (now No. 1), attended its first
meeting, January 15, 1840, and served that body as its first
High Priest.
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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