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Records of Edward William Treadaway Hoare in the Masons

1 a    ) The following exchange of correspondence reconstructs the career of EWTH in the Masons:

To:   Jeff Bailey secretary - Lodge of Perseverance 164

RE: W.Bro. Edward Treadaway-Hoare who was active in Sidmouth/Seaton/Axminster area ~1901 to ~ 1920.

CRAFT ENTRIES

(Entries show the Lodge Number, the Year, and notes in the minutes of meetings refering to EWTH )

164 - 1906 - E.W. T.H. - D.C.

494 - 1906 - E.W. T.H. - W.M. ; rep. on the Committee of Petitions

164 - 1908 - not listed

494 - 1908 - E.W. T.H. - P.M. 1906; Treasurer, and rep. on the Committee of Petitions

164 - 1910 - not listed

494 - 1910 - E.W. T.H. - rep. on the Committee of Petitions; also Charity Steward, Treasurer; at Boro' House, Axmouth

164 - 1911 - not listed

494 - 1911 - E.W. T.H. - rep. on the Committee of Petitions; also Charity Steward, Treasurer; at Boro' House, Axmouth

164 - 1912 - not listed

494 - 1912 - E.W. T.H. - rep. on the Committee of Petitions; also Charity Steward, Treasurer; at Boro' House, Axmouth

also listed as Prov. J.W. - but cannot find the appointment year!

it may have been a past rank for this year; we can trace this in due course!

164 - 1913 - not listed

494 - 1913 - E.W. T.H. - rep. on the Committee of Petitions; also Charity Steward, Treasurer; at Boro' House, Colyford

164 - 1914 - not listed

494 - 1914 - E.W. T.H. - rep. on the Committee of Petitions; also Charity Steward; at Boro' House, Colyford

CHAPTER ENTRIES

494 - 1913 - E.W. T.H. - listed as P.Z. in 1902, now holding Prov. S.N. in 1913

494 - 1914 - E.W. T.H. - as above

MARK LODGE ENTRIES

372 - 1912/1913/1914 - E.W. T.H. - W.M. in 1909; now Prov. M.O. after 1911

ROSE CROIX ENTRIES

Coryton and Rougemont Union Chapter No. 2 -

1912 - Captain of Guard

1913 — Herald

1914 - Marshal


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1 b )    Explanation of the terminology used in the above notes:

From: Jeff  Bailey
Date: Monday, December 29, 2003 6:32 AM
Subject: EW T-H

Dick

The following applies to UK - I don't know about USA etc.

"Craft" refers to what is commonly known as "Lodge", "masons" etc. by "outsiders" and the media.

Heirarchy in a Lodge starts at top with WM (Worshipful master) and goes down through Senior Warden (SW), Junior Warden (JW), Senior Deacon (SD), Junior Deacon (JD) and Inner Guard (IG). These are the "active offices" and having accepted the post of IG and "got on the ladder" you are expected, emergencies excepted, to climb up a post each year to WM.

The Lodge admin etc is covered by the posts of Secretary, Director of Ceremonies (DC) and Treasurer. These are normally filled by experienced Past Masters (ie ex WMs). The most important is the DC who is responsible for the running of the Lodge, maintaining traditions etc. For a DC to be absent as often as T-H was from 164 would normally be very unsettling for the members and he certainly would not have been aware of the traditions of the Lodge after such a short membership.

"Chapter" refers to Holy Royal Arch Chapter (HRA Chapter) which is an extension of Craft masonry. Equivalent of WM is Zerubbabal ("Z"). It seems that T-H was already a Past "Z" when first listed under 494 (Chapter of Virtue, Axminster) in 1913. Possibly he had been a "Z" in Hertfordshire .

Provincial "Honours" these days are awarded for merit to Past Masters (Craft) and PZs (HRA) but in early 20th Century were often more associated to social standing. T-H was awarded Craft Honours in Hertfordshire and Devon (Both Provincial Junior Warden which is very high) and apparently Prov. Scribe Nehemiah (Prov SN) in HRA Chapter in Devonshire - again very high.

Craft is governed in UK by United Grand Lodge of England, HRA by Supreme Grand Chapter but for all intents and purposes they are the same body

"Mark Masonry" is a "side degree" to Craft masonry worked entirely separately and governed by a different body to Craft/HRA. T-H was WM of De La Pole Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 372, Seaton in 1909 and gained Provincial honours Prov Master Overseer (again high) in 1911.

Rose Croix is another "side degree" governed by another body (originated in USA). Coryton and Rougement Union Chapter No.2 meets in Exeter. From info provided by librarian T-H was apparently on "Ladder" here and would normally have been expected to go onto 2nd General in 1915, 1st General in1916 and on to Most Wise Sovereign in 1917 if he had remained.

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2 )    Extracts from Minute Books of Lodge of Perseverance, No. 164, in Sidmouth re EWTH


Wednesday 3rd July 1901
— First visit to 164. At the same meeting it is recorded :-"W.Bro. Mitchell (W.M) proposed and W.Bro J A Orcherd (Treasurer) seconded as a joining member W. Bro. Edward William Treadaway Hoare of Musbury House, Axmouth, Devon. Past Master Cranbourne 1580, Past Master Claremont 1861, IG 494, MM 118
1"

Cranbourne Lodge1580 now meets at Ashwell house 167 Verulam Rd. St Albans

Claremont Lodge 1861 now meets at Masonic Hall, oakfield Road, Croydon.

Virtue and Honour Lodge No 494 meets at Masonic Hall, South Street Axminster

De La Pole Lodge 1181 meets at Masonic Hall, Queen Street, Seaton

It is (and was) usual for visitors to visit a Lodge several times before being proposed for joining membership. The fact that he TH was proposed on his first visit by the WM and Treasurer would tend to indicate that he was already well known locally.

At the next meeting on Wednesday 2nd October 1901 :- " A ballot was taken for the election, as a joining member of W.Bro. Edward William Treadaway Hoare and proved unanimously in his favour. Bro. Hoare suitably acknowledged the compliment paid him.

Wed. 6th Nov 1901 :- TH attended and seconded a proposition

He missed December1901 and attended on Wednesday 1st January 1902 when he again seconded a proposition

Wed. 5th Feb :- TH attended, acted as Senior Warden (pro tem) and again seconded a proposition.

Wed 5th March 1902 :- attended and kept a low profile for a change!

Wed. 2nd April 1902 :- attended and gave "Address to Initiate"

Wed. 7th May 1902 :- attended, explained "2nd degree working tools" and seconded 2 propositions

Wed. 4th June 1902 :- attended, proposed one motion and seconded 2 others.

Wed. 2nd July 1902 ( Annual Installation meeting) :- attended and appointed Director of Ceremonies (DC). (This, after less than one year of membership, is exceptional. Also this is the first time that TH appears in the Minutes hyphenated. Previously what appeared as Treadaway Hoare now appears as Treadaway-Hoare and appears as this until 1911.

Wed 1st October 1902 (next meeting) T-H attended and it is recorded "A communication was read from the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons asking for the support of the Lodge at the next Anniversary Festival of the Institution to be held on 25th February 1903. In the course of discussions W.Bro. Treadaway-Hoare said,in the event of the Lodge deciding to support either the above or the Boys or girls Institution he should be pleased to add his Ten Guineas to that of the Lodge and represent them as a Steward. The WM thanked W.Bro. Treadaway-Hoare for his generous offer." (Compare this offer of Ten Guineas (Ten pounds Ten Shillings) to the charity collection at the end of the next meeting which raised 7shillings and 9 pence from 15 members present.)

5th November 1902 :- attended and "A letter was read by bro. F. Farrant JW as to the lodge subscribing to the Devon Fund for Aged Widows but it was resolved to let the matter stand over until the next annual festival. W.Bro. Treadaway-Hoare generously offered to give 5 shillings to start a subscription to the Devon charity"

Dec 1902 / Jan 1903 did not attend but sent a letter apologising for his non-attendance in January

Wed. 4th February 1903 :- " W.Bro Orchard brought before the Lodge the unfortunate position of Bro. T Oakes, who, he said had been a most regular subscriber to the Lodge, but through the misfortune of business was now reduced in circumstances. Having relations in South Africa he begged for assistance to enable him to proceed there. W.Bro. Treadaway-Hoare moved that an application for his relief to the Benevolent Fund be signed by the brethren and forwarded to the proper quarters. This was seconded by bro. Beswick and carried. The WM expressed the sympathy of the brethren to Bro. Oakes in his misfortune.

4th March 1903 — absent

1st April 1903 — attended and seconded a proposition

6th May 1903 — attended, proposed a motion and seconded another

3rd June 1903 — attended, proposed a motion, seconded another

1st July 1903 ( annual Installation meeting) — attended and reappointed DC

7th October 1903 — absent

4th November 1903 — attended, seconded a proposition

2nd December 1903 — attended and took part in Initiation ceremony also recorded that "Communications were then received from the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institutions for Girls and Boys respectively. W.Bro. Treadaway-Hoare announced that it would give him pleasure to subscribe Ten Guineas to a like amount from the lodge and to act as their representative as Steward at the annual festival of the Girls Institution to be held on 11th may next. On the motion of W.Bro. J A Orchard seconded by the WM W. Bro. Treadaway-Hoare was thanked for his generous offer.

T-H then was absent from the 6th Jan 04, 3rd Feb 04, 2nd March 04, 30th March 04, 6th April 04 meetings. No apologies recorded. Quite unusual, even unacceptable, for a DC.

27th April 1904 — present, no comments made re previous months.

4th May 1904 — absent

1st June 1904 — absent but "W.Bro. J A Orchard then moved and W.Bro. Rosenstock seconded and it was carried unanimously that the hearty congratulations of the Lodge be passed to W.Bro. E W Treadaway-Hoare on the honour he had received by his appointment of Provincial Junior Grand Warden in the Province of Hertford.

(This high "active" rank could indicate that he was active masonically in Hertfordshire thereby explaining his absences from Devon).

6th July 1904 — Annual installation meeting :- absent but reappointed DC

Absent for the next 10 meetings October 04 to June 05 inclusive

5th July 1905 — Annual installation meeting :- attended but not as the DC. He is listed amongst the "ordinary" W.Bros. This would indicate he had resigned as DC during the year but there is no record in the Minutes. Strangely (to me) he was reappointed DC

Absent for next 8 meetings October 2005 to May 2006 inclusive

6th June 1906 — still absent but recorded "The WM proposed, W.Bro. J A Orchard seconded and it was unanimously agreed that a vote of congratulations be accorded W.Bro. E W Treadaway- Hoare PPrJGW (Herts) on the occasion of his marriage which took place on Whit Monday together with the hearty good wishes of the brethren for the happiness of the newly wedded couple. The secretary was instructed to communicate this to W.Bro. Treadaway-Hoare"

4th July 1906 — Annual Installation meeting :- absent again. He was not reappointed DC. A letter was read from W.Bro. Treadaway-Hoare thanking the brethren for their kind wishes for the welfare of his wife and self.

16th July 1906 — absent again. A "Lodge of Emergency" specifically to debate the setting up of a Lodge of Mark Masons.. A letter was read from T-H of Boro House, Musbury in favour of the proposal.

Absent then until 6th July 1910 — annual Installation meeting when T-H is recorded as being a visitor from De La Pole Lodge No. 1181, Seaton. This would indicate that he has resigned from Perseverance 164 but there is no record in the Minutes. The fact he has visited shows he has not parted acrimoniously.

Absent again until 5th July 1911 — annual Installation meeting — when he visited as W.Bro. E.W.T. Hoare from Virtue and Honour No. 494, Axminster.

Absent again until 10th July 1912 — annual Installation meeting — when he again appears as W.Bro. E.W.T. Hoare.

There is then no mention of TH until 7th January 1920 when he writes in requesting a "clearance certificate" which was granted. He was obviously wishing to join another Lodge (perhaps in Southbourne?) and needed the clearance certificate from 164 to show he was in good standing with the Lodge of Perseverance.

There is no further mention of TH in our minutes up to 1930. I went this far in case his new lodge, wherever it was, requested our support assisting his widow or son.

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3 )    Response to Inquiry Sent to Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys,

From Les Hutchinson, Planning and Development Co-ordinator

From: Les Hutchinson (Web site mail) info@rmtgb.org

Tuesday, December 2, 2003 10:55 AM

Re: Contact from MTGB Website

Dear Sir,

A search has been made in our records, but as you would expect, most of the information we have relates to the son.

Colin Guy Treadaway Hoare was born on 20 October 1923. His father, a licensed victualler died 9 September 1927 of 1(a) Cerebral Embolism (b) Endocarditis. His mother died 26 March 1930 of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Father was a member of Lodges, principally meeting in Hertfordshire and Devonshire and was a Freemason for 35 years until his death.

Colin entered the Junior School in September 1932, transferring to the Senior School in September 1936. He left school in March 1940 and emigrated to Ontario in April 1940 to live with his Uncle.

We have no other information about the father but it is possible that the Masonic authorities in Herts and Devonshire may be able to provide further information and their contact details are given below:-

Herts:- Mr D G Flowers, Fleet House, Royal Rd, St Albans, Herts, AL1 4LQ Ref:- Lodge Nos 1580 and 4090.

Devonshire:- Mr C C Turner, 23 Richmond Road, Exeter, Devonshire, EX4 4JF Ref Lodge Nos 164, 494 and 1181.

Hope this information is of use.

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4 )    Note re Later Lodge Memberships

From: "Graham Jelley"

Dear W. Bro Jeff,

Bro E W T Hoare was initiated into Cranbourne Lodge on 1 May 1892. He was Master of the Lodge in 1900 and did as you say become Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1904. He resigned from the Lodge in 1914, but rejoined in 1918 along with two other ex members. Obviously I'm unable to say if his resignation in 1914 and rejoining in 1918 is of any significance. As far as I can tell he was still a member of the Lodge in 1926 when the book was written. So I presume was still a member of the Lodge on his death in 1927. From the Lodge's point of view I am surprised that his wife died in poverty in 1930.

Having now studied what books are still in existence I see that the declaration book for the period you are interested in is still in existence at the Records Office which may give some indication of an address. To assist you further I have attached to this email the receipt which shows what records are held at Hertford for your information. I have also copied some of the pages from the book where Bro Hoare is mentioned.