Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Letter from N. H. Hubbard to his brothers and sisters
1849
N. H. Hubbard
USA: Virginia, Mecklenburg
Ink on paper
overall: 12 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.
Museum Purchase
A2009/78/1

Autograph letter signed by N. H. Hubbard to his brothers and sisters, four pages; author of letter gives a long description of a Masonic funeral which he witnessed in Virginia close the North Carolina border; comparison of Freemasons and Odd Fellows which Hubbard is more familiar with; author of letter gives a description of a Virginia "barbacue" with sheep and lambs dressed whole and set across poles and roasted; also a description of a hunt on horseback with hounds, author making pets of two mocking birds, as well as other activities; a glimpse of pre-Civil War Virginia; SEE FOLDER FOR FULL TRANSCRIPTION.

Hubbard further recounts the Masonic funeral, explaining that the Masons at the funeral "all stood in a ring again, and clapped their hands first over their heads, and then across the breast, then down at the side, repeating it 3 times." This "salute" is known as the public "grand honors," and is still used in Freemasonry today. Finally, one Mason from each lodge threw a spade of earth on the grave and they all took turns until it was filled.