Blog post by Bro. Nathaniel Gilchrist, PM
The recent Spring 2024 issue of the Scottish Rite quarterly magazine, “The Northern Light” featured an interesting historical article on various Masonic “Master” chairs of the past, and their manufacturers.
It covered a number of unique styles that were created in the past, and provided information on the creators and companies that manufactured them.
The article prompted my interest in the history of the Lodge 43 Masonic antique furniture on display on the fourth floor of the Masonic Center in the Albert L. Einolf Museum. While they were not mentioned in the “The Northern Light” article, they are unique one of a kind Masonic Chairs with a noteworthy, interesting history.
The Lodge 43 display includes 9 handmade Windsor style Officer Chairs, 2 Benches, 2 Desks, and an Altar.
I was particularly interested in the 9 Windsor chairs being they are of a very unique design made specifically for Masonic purposes with three individualized for the Worshipful Master and Wardens with the appearance of their symbolic working tool on each respective chair. My initial assumption, these chairs were most likely custom made for Lodge 43.
I was curious to learn more about them, who made them, when they were made, and at what cost to Lodge 43.
Windsor Chairs, past and present, continue to be a popular choice for consumers and collectors. They have a time honored tradition in how they were and continue to be manufactured. Craftsman of the past handmade all elements of the chair, using a variety of wood materials, and they continue to be popular items for antique collectors, at times commanding very high value depending on the craftsman, the originality, and condition of the chair itself.
Even today there are craftsmen continuing to handmake Windsor chairs, and there is at least one craftsman in Lancaster County who offers a class to learn how to build a handmade Windsor Chair.
Initially, the only information I was aware of was the description and pictures that were included in the “2014 Art Directives Inc. Catalog” that was prepared for Lodge 43 insurance purposes. It reads as follows:
“Lodge 43 Masonic Antique Lodge Furniture
Item: Nine Windsor Armchairs
Origin/Age: American, nineteenth century
Material/Construction: Painted wood
Measurement: Height 40”, width 22”, depth 17 ½ ”
Description: Nine Windsor armchairs with birdcage spindle backs having
painted oval accents with masonic motifs. Solid plank seats
and overall painted surface.”
My investigation then led me to not one, but two handwritten communications that provided the specific information I was searching for. Both communications were handwritten authorizations from Lodge 43 for payment to the chair manufacturer. One communication was for 5 chairs while the other was for 3 chairs. I could not find a record for the 9th chair but in all probability, it was obtained in the same time period. Both these communications were existing in the former Lodge 43 safety deposit box but are in the form of xerox copies only. The whereabouts of the originals of both these communications are currently unknown.
The communications above indicated the following: The chair manufacturer was Frederick and Jacob Fetter both of Lancaster. They were of German descent and their father; Jacob was from Carlisle and was a cabinet maker.
One authorization for payment from then Worshipful Master, Nathaniel Lightner, was for 5 chairs, dated September 8th, 1813, and the cost was stated at $4 dollars apiece for a total of $20.
The second communication appears to be a confirmation of payment signed by the Fetter Brothers, Jacob and Frederick. The Worshipful Master in 1811 was William Hamilton. This authorization was for 3 chairs also at $4 dollars apiece for $16 and was dated June 11, 1811. No record exists for the ninth chair, but I believe it would have been associated with the 1813 purchase.
The documentation reflects thirty-six dollars total for the eight custom chairs. The 2014 Lodge 43 insurance appraisal stated nine chairs in the five figure range, and I am sure the chairs have since grown in value considerably.
The uniqueness of these chairs in their construction is the addition of a Masonic motifs that have been hand painted on the Worshipful Master and Wardens chairs individually to reflect their station. While time has resulted in some fading, they are still very apparent on each of these 3 chairs. The remaining 6 chairs do not contain any hand painted Masonic symbols or motifs.
The chairs themselves had all been painted by the Frederick and Jacob Fetter and still appear in that original paint. This is a very critical element in assessing their overall value as an antique.
Nancy Goyne Evans, a well-respected expert on the history of the Windsor Chair has authored several books on the history of the Windsor Chair and period manufacturers. She refers to our Fetter Masonic Chairs in one of her books where she states the Fetters “had only probably begun their trade when commissioned to make a set of chairs for the local Masonic Lodge. Giant oval medallions in the crests, spindles, and front stretchers provide flat areas for special painted decorations”.
I visited the Lancaster Heritage Center to learn what I could of Frederick and Jacob Fetter. While the Fetter name was quite prevalent in Lancaster County in the early 1800s there was very little about Frederick and Jacob Fetter as chairmakers. There was some reference to our chairs confirming they were made by the Fetter’s, and further stated the masonic chairs were “mixed woods, original paint, and decorations”.
The information also stated the Fetter brothers made settees and benches so I will assume that the 2 benches on display were also made by the Fetters although I have no confirmation or information of that in any of our records. The Heritage Center does identify one of the benches as a Frederick and Jacob Fetter bench. I also have not found any indication that they were members of the craft in their lifetime.
I could not find any information on their chairmaking company, any other unique designs they may have created for other special interest groups, or what value their chairs may hold in the antique market today. I did review Jacob’s Will at the Lancaster Heritage Center and at the time of his death in 1834 he apparently was still involved in his business. His Will reflected chairs in inventory, chair parts, supplies, and craft chairmaking tools.
Most interesting to note is to reflect on the fact our Fetter Masonic Chairs are now well over 200 years old; 211, 212 years to be exact!
It is also interesting to reflect on the fact that they have served a vast number of Lodge 43’s most notable Masonic Brothers in James Buchanan, John Reynolds, William Hamilton, just to name a few among many others who served in the officer ranks in our notable Lodge 43 history.
The next time you visit the Lodge you may want to take a moment to view these historic works of art admire the craftsmanship if 1811 and 1813, and appreciate all who they have served.
So Mote It Be!
Nathaniel Gilchrist P.M.