The History of The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania A petition from William Matthews, N.G., and other officers and member of Pennsylvania Lodge, at Philadelphia, for a Charter for said Lodge.   This Lodge was self instituted on the 26th of December, 1821.   It first met at the house of John Upton, at No. 66 Dock street, and afterwards to the corner of Chestnut and Seventh streets. The following brothers composed the Lodge at its institution: John Pearce, Noble Grand James Day, Vice Grand John B. Robinson, Secretary John Upton, Treasurer Samuel Croucher, Guardian The following letter to P. G. Entwisle from the officers of the Lodge in Philadelphia is self-explanatory:   Philadelphia, June 6th, 1823 Respected Brother -- We have the pleasure to inform you that G. M. Wildey arrived in Philadelphia on Sunday, in good health.   We assembled a few brothers by two o'clock.   The information we received from our worthy brother was pleasing and instructive.   This Lodge had come to a determination to take a Dispensation, Charter and Degrees, and hearing that a Lodge in New York received a Dispensation from England, we had applied for one from them before the arrival of Brother Wildey.   Brother Wildey wrote us a letter from New York which we received this morning.   He gives us such information as to enable us to allply to the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the United States for a Charter, etc., and he says he will, on his return, provide us with other documents. Wishing you every blessing this world can afford, we remain in the bonds of F. L. and T. Wm. Matthews, N.G. Jno. Sturgis, V.G. Thos. Hepworth, P.G. Aaron Nichols, P.G. Nath'l Longmire, Sec'y P.G. Entwisle, Esq.     This Charter for the Lodge, as prayed for, was granted, as well as a Grand Charter for a Grand Lodge.   Grand Master Wildey, on his return from Boston, presented the Charter to Pennsylvania Lodge, No.1, and instituted the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, on the 27th of June, 1823, and installed the following Grand Officers: Aaron Nichols, Grand Master Thomas Small, Deputy Grand Master Benjamin Richardson, Grand Warden Benjamin Daffin, Grand Secretary Joseph Richardson, Grand Treasurer         Information obtained from:   Odd Fellowship It's History and Manual The History and Manual of Odd Fellowship By Theo. A. Ross Past Grand Secretary of the Sovereign Grand Lodge Copyright 1887 - 1895 - 1897 - 1899 - 1908 M. W. Hazen Company