~ Issac Auld, A Founding Father of the Supreme Council, 33° ~
By McDonald “Don” Burbidge
 Ill.
Isaac Auld was not only a notable Freemason in Charleston, South Carolina, at
the turn of the 19th Century but also a large landowner, experimental botanist,
and well-known doctor.
Photo: No image, except a silhouette portrait, exists of Ill. Isaac Auld.
However the noted painter, Ill. John D. Melius, 33°, recently created the above
image of Auld based on the original silhouette portrait and other historical
sources.
Dr. Frederick Dalcho, himself a Founding Member of the Supreme Council on May
31, 1801, asked his friend and medical associate Isaac Auld to become the
seventh member of the newly fledged Masonic Body. Auld readily accepted on
January 10, 1802.
Isaac Auld was born on February 25, 1770, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, to Jacob
and Lydia Auld who were of Scottish decent. His father, a Mason, was a member of
"Old Lodge No. 8" in Pennsylvania, a soldier in the Sixth Battalion of the
Keystone State during the Revolutionary War, and a large landowner, eventually
leaving his 1,200-acre estate in Pennsylvania to his son. In addition, Isaac
Auld acquired a 1,100-acre plantation on Edisto Island, near Charleston. There
he grew several crops and experimented with various types of plants, especially
the growth of an improved form of long-staple cotton.
In addition, Ill. Auld had a medical career and was a prominent member of
Charleston society when he met and married a local belle, Miss Frances Miot, on
February 8, 1798. Dennis Isaac Auld, who is a living descendant of Isaac Auld,
states it was a case of love at first sight: "Isaac had just returned from the
Dominican Republic and was attending a play at the Dock Street Theater. Upon
walking up the steps, he looked over and saw Miss Frances Miot who was with her
father. Isaac asked his friend who she was and also informed his friend that he
was going to marry her, and he later did."
On April 1, 1801, Dr. Auld was elected the 65th member of the South Carolina
Medical Society, three months before Dr. Frederick Dalcho, who became the 66th
member. Moses Holbrook, who was to become a Grand Commander of the Supreme
Council, was the 145th member of the society. A book titled People and
Professions of Charleston, South Carolina for the year 1782–1802 states: "Dalcho
& Auld, Apothecaries, 132 East Bay Street." Together, Ill. Dalcho and Auld also
operated a doctor's office on Meeting Street. The register states physicians
equaled 2% of the Charleston population at that time. Drs. Dalcho and Auld were
within a few months of being the same age, and the two men had a number of
mutual interests that drew them together. They both were members of the same
Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection in Charleston along with John Mitchell who was
the Founding Father of the Supreme Council in 1801. The Lodge's register of 1802
shows Isaac Auld as Senior Warden of this Lodge of Perfection, the third
principal officer under John Mitchell and Frederick Dalcho.
Active in many civic affairs, Ill. Bros. Auld and Dalcho helped establish
Charleston's first "Botanic Garden," which was funded by the Medical Society of
Charleston and located on the northwest corner of Meeting and Columbus Streets.
In the Charleston Courier of August 8, 1805, an ad by the Medical Society
informed the public of the garden's purpose. It reads: "Innumerable are the
advantages which will result from this establishment. It will induce in young
persons, a taste for the studies of Nature. The structure of a feather or flower
is more likely to impress their minds with a just notion of infinite power and
wisdom, than the most profound discourses on such abstract subjects, as are
beyond the limits of their capacity to comprehend. Botany is a branch of natural
history that possesses many advantages; it contributes to health of body, and
cheerfulness of disposition, by presenting an inducement to take air and
exercise—it is adapted to the simplest capacity, which renders it attainable to
every rank in life."
In addition to farming, medicine and botany, Ill. Auld must have had an interest
in music since it is noted that following an Oration by Ill. Frederick Dalcho,
as its Grand Master, to the "Sublime Grand Lodge of South Carolina" meeting in
Charleston on March 21, 1803, two songs were sung. The first, written by Bro.
Thomas Dunckerly, was titled "Anthem I"; the second, "Anthem II," was composed
by Ill. Auld. Only the words to these two songs have survived.
In 1824, Ill. Auld built a home and practiced medicine on Edingsville Island,
located off Edisto Beach about 70 miles from Charleston. Established that same
year, Edingsville Island was used by well-to-do Charlestonians who sought to
escape the summer heat and disease-carrying mosquitoes of the city. At that
time, the island had more than 50 buildings, including two churches and a
school.
Dr. Auld's name appeared less frequently in the minutes of the South Carolina
Medical Society over the years, indicating he was withdrawing more and more from
Charleston, confining his practice and other activities to Edisto. His fame as a
physician, however, was extending beyond South Carolina during this time, as
evidenced in the faculty minutes of the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Columbia University, New York City, April 7, 1820. The faculty minutes state:
The college took up the consideration of the testimonials in behalf of the
character of Isaac Auld, a practitioner of medicine in South Carolina, and after
some time spent thereon, On Motion, it was resolved that the Isaac Auld be
recommended to the Honorable Regents of the University as a person eminently
qualified to receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the College.
Past research and family records provide no proof that Isaac Auld ever received
a Doctor's Degree prior to this stated intention by the faculty of the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City. It is assumed
that Auld studied under a doctor in Pennsylvania and might have received a
letter of intent from this doctor indicating that he was competent to practice
medicine. In those days, this was an acceptable way to become a medical
practitioner.
In February 1822, Dr. Frederick Dalcho resigned from his post as Grand
Commander. Upon Ill. Dalcho's resignation, Dr. Auld issued new Letters of
Constitution for the Council of Princes of Jerusalem at Charleston, inactive
since the fire of 1819. It was issued to Illustrious Brothers Moses Holbrook,
Horatio Gates Street, Alexander McDonald, Robert Carr, and Joseph McCosh. This
action was not only to reactivate the Council but also to regularize a group of
Masons who had helped the Supreme Council. Dr. Auld signed this document as
Acting Grand Commander, and it was signed also by Dr. James Moultrie as Acting
Lieutenant Grand Commander, and by Moses Clava Levy as the Treasurer General.
Under the administration of Grand Commander Auld, the Supreme Council at
Charleston turned its attention to several important matters. For example, Dr.
Holbrook discovered that John Fowler, of Ireland, had written to Dalcho
expressing a desire to open a Supreme Council in Ireland. Bro. Holbrook
responded and Fowler wrote back that he was still interested, but also noted
that since the Grand Duke of Leinster, the Grand Master of Freemasons of
Ireland, had appointed him his Deputy Grand Master, he thought it proper to
appoint the Grand Duke in his stead. John Fowler also suggested that he be
granted the title of Lieutenant General of the Grand Commander instead. Fowler's
suggestion was carried out with the necessary documents. During a meeting on
August 13, 1824, the Supreme Council issued "Letters Patent" naming the Duke of
Leinster as Grand Commander for Ireland.
One cold fall day in 1826, a friend of Dr. Auld, a Mr. Hardy from Pennsylvania,
was visiting him at his Edingsville Island residence. As Dr. Auld showed Mr.
Hardy his plantation, they were caught in a very heavy rain. Chilled to the
bone, both contracted what was then known as "country fever." Dr. Auld died on
October 17, 1826, and Mr. Hardy died shortly thereafter. Isaac Auld was buried
on his Edisto Island land, but his gravesite is now lost due to hurricanes in
the mid and late 1800s which washed away many cemeteries and buildings. Dr.
Isaac Auld was the last of the original "Eleven Gentleman of Charleston" to hold
an office in the Supreme Council. The next Grand Commander, Ill. Moses Holbrook,
was not a member of the original eleven Founders.
We are fortunate that Fred, Bobbie, and Dennis Auld, descendants of Isaac Auld,
have agreed to loan the Scottish Rite some of Brother Auld's personal belongings
for the Scottish Rite's bicentennial anniversary. The celebration will be held
in Charleston, South Carolina, September 30–October 3, 2001. The articles to be
displayed are a pocket watch that belonged to Jacob Auld that he passed on to
his son Isaac Auld. This pocket watch, still in working condition, has been
passed from father to son for many generations. Along with the watch, will be
the mortar and pestle Ill. Auld used to mix medicine when he was a doctor both
in Charleston and Edisto Island.
The above was reprinted with permission of the Scottish Rite Journal, October, 2000
Illustrious Brother Isaac Auld’s parents were born in Scotland, immigrated to
France, and then moved onto the United States of America settling at Norristown,
Pennsylvania. The exact date of Brother Jacob Auld birth and entrance to this
country is unknown but what is known is that Jacob and Lydia had one son born
who they named Isaac Auld.
Brother Jacob Auld was a member of “Old Lodge No. 8” of Pennsylvania, which held
it’s meeting in the courthouse at Norristown.
Records show that Jacob Auld was Adjunct of the Sixth Battalion of Associates in
Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War. His name appears in the list of
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania taxable for 1779. Jacob Auld also was a member
of Montgomery County’s first Grand Jury on December 28, 1784 and was also was
Excise Tax Collector for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1789.
In 1793-1794, Jacob Auld is shown as holding warrants to 1200 acres of land in
nearby Luzern County, Pennsylvania. It is known that Jacob Auld, like thousands
of others, known to be followers of the Stuart “Contenders”, fled from Scotland,
stopped in France for a while and then proceeded to America.
1770 Ill. Bro. Isaac Auld was born on February 25, at Norristown,
Pennsylvania to Jacob and Lydia Auld.
1789 Isaac Auld became a Mason on August 18 at “Old Lodge No. 8,” which
was the same lodge that his father was a member of.
1798 Isaac Auld and Miss Frances Miot are married whom he first met at
Dock Street Theater in Charleston, South Carolina it was love at first sight.
1801 Brother Auld is listed as the Grand Secretary of the Sublime Grand
Lodge of Perfection on September 23.
April 01, Dr. Auld is elected the 65th member of the South Carolina Medical
Society.
Listed under “People and Professions of Charleston, South Carolina for the year
1782-1802” will be found the following: Profession s most often listed was
physicians 2% of Charleston population and also listed was this, ”Dalcho & Auld,
Apothecaries, 132 East Bay Street.”
May 31, Dr. Isaac Auld is listed as a founding member of the first Supreme
Council for the Scottish Rites, which is originated in Charleston, South
Carolina along with following;
Col. John Mitchell, Sov. Grand Commander
Dr. Fredrick Dalcho, Lt. Grand Commander
Emanuel de La Motta, Treasurer General of the Holy Empire
Abraham Alexander, Secretary General of the Holy Empire
Major T.B. Bowen, Grand Master of Ceremonies
Israel de Lieben, Sov Gr Inspector-General
Dr. Isaac Auld, Sov Gr Inspector-General
Moses C. Levy, Sov Gr Inspector-General
Dr. James Moultrie, Sov Gr Inspector-General
1803 March 21, Ill. Bro. Frederick Dalcho delivered an “Oration” before
the Sublime Grand Lodge of Masons in Charleston, South Carolina. Ill. Bro.
Frederick Dalcho at the time was the Inspector General and Grand Master of the
Sublime Grand lodge of South Carolina and Isaac Auld was the Sovereign Grand
Inspector General at the time. At the end of this “Oration” two Anthems were
sung. Anthem one was written by Brother Thomas Dunkerly then Brother Isaac Auld,
Grand Inspector General, wrote Grand Commander of the Knights of K.H. AnthemII.
1805 Jacob Auld (Isaac Auld’s father) died in Norristown Pennsylvania on
December 12, and is buried in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
1812 During the War of 1812 Dr. Auld is given the rank of an Officer in
the militia located on Edisto Island. He was responsible for two fortifications
of defense while in this office.
1820 April 12, Dr. Auld attends a meeting at Columbia University, New
York, for a College of Physicians and Surgeons. He leaves Charleston to settle
at Edisto Island.
June 8, Dr. Isaac Auld returns to Charleston to take up his practice once again.
He makes known his return in an announcement of the Charleston Courier to resume
his practice. His doctor’s office is now located at No. 15 St. Philip’s Street
which was the late residence of A. Markley, Esq..
1822 February, Upon Ill. Brother Frederick Dalcho’s resignation as it’s
Grand Commander
Dr. Auld issued a new Letters of Constitution for the Council of Princes of
Jerusalem at Charleston, inactive since the fire of 1819. It was issued to
Illustrious Brothers Moses Holbrook, Horatio Gates Street, Alexander McDonald,
Robert Carr, and Joseph McCosh. Dr. Auld signed this document as Acting Grand
Commander, and it was signed also by Dr. James Moultrie as Acting Lieutenant
Grand Commander, and by Moses Clava Levy as the Treasurer General.
November 15 in a meeting Dr. Isaac Auld along with other members of the Supreme
Council elected Dr. Moses Holbrook and Horatio Gates Street as new members to
the Supreme Council. Two days later they meet again to elect Brother Alexander
McDonald and Joseph McCosh to the same council.
1823 Ill. Brother Isaac Auld succeed Ill. Brother Frederick Dalcho after
he resigns from the Grand Lodge and becomes the new Grand Commander of the
Supreme Council in Charleston in Dr. Auld as Grand Commander, the Supreme
Council at Charleston begun to turn its attention to John Fowler who had wrote
to Dalcho expressing his desires to open a 33rd Degree in Ireland. A letter was
written to John Fowler inquiring if he was still interested. John Fowler wrote
back that he was still anxious but since the Duke of Leinster, Grand Master of
Free Masons of Ireland had appointed him his Deputy Grand Master he thought it
proper to appoint the Grand Duke with this title instead. John also suggested
that he be appointed the title of Lieutenant General of the Grand Commander
instead. John Fowler suggestion to Isaac Auld was carried out with the necessary
documents being sent to him.
1824 August 13 Dr. Auld issues a letter of patent on August 13 to the
Duke of Leinster as Grand Commander, John Fowler as Lieutenant Grand Commander
of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree for Ireland, and Thomas McGill
as Treasurer General.
1825 Dr. Auld had writes Joel R. Poinsett to advise him of his election
as an honorary member of the Agricultural Society.
The membership of the Supreme Council stood as follows at the close of the year:
ISSAC AULD, Grand Commander, Moses Holbrook, Lieutenant Grand Commander, James
Moultrie, Secretary General, M. C. Levy, Treasurer General, Horatio G. Street,
Alexander McDonald, Joseph McCosh, John Barker, Joseph Eveleth (Massachusetts),
John Roche, Giles F. Yates, (New York), Frederick Dalcho, Past Grand Commander
1826 Dr. Isaac Auld passed away at his resident on Edisto Island on
October 17, 1826 at the age of 52 from Country fever which he contacted when he
caught a heavy rain shower while showing his friend Mr. Hardy of Pennsylvania
his field of long staple cotton. He is buried at the Episcopal church on
Eddingsville, located on Edisto Island (located about 70 miles from Charleston)
and about 0.5 miles off the mainland which was later washed away during a violet
hurricane storm in the late 1880’s. Mr. Hardy also passes away three days after
Dr. Auld.
|
