Pythians Enter Norfolk County
May 13, 1905
Summary
John Mitchell, Jr., and the Knights of Pythias establish a new lodge in Norfolk, Virginia.
Transcription
Grand Chancellor John Mitchell, Jr., arrived here last night in a large picnic wagon. He was accompanied by Col. E. R. Jefferson, Assistant Surgeon General; Capt. John G. Smith, Sir Wm. A. Myers, District Deputy Grand Chancellor of the Portsmouth District; Major Archer Drew, Sir Lee Hunt and Col. Wm. M. Reid, Grand Lecturer. They had left Portsmouth about three quarter’s of an hour before and came to institute a new lodge of the Knights of Pythias here.
The work was done at Pilgrim Hall. Those who assisted were: Manuel Laigh, George Reid and Cornelius Ballard. Miss Rachel Laigh had charge of the refreshments. The following are the officers of the new body, which will be known as St. Stephen’s Lodge, No. 89; Chancellor Commander, Rev. J. W. Riddick, Jr.; Master of Work, Prof. S. H. Clarke, A. B.; Keeper of Records & Seal, Erastus Williams; Master of Finance, Jesse Williams; Master of Exchequer, J. W. Riddick, Sr.; Vice Chancellor, John Willis Edwards; Prelate, John Davis; Master at Arms, Jeremiah Copeland; Inner Guard, J. H. Taylor; Outer Guard, Leonard Ward; Trustees, Dr. J. E. Ashburn, Dudley Martin, James H. Herring.
The visitors heartily enjoyed themselves. The Grand Chancellor spoke and complimented the new lodge upon its appearance. District Deputy Wm. A. Myers gets credit for this new organization. The party left at 1 o’clock for Portsmouth, from which point the Grand Chancellor and his associates will leave for Richmond.
The work was done at Pilgrim Hall. Those who assisted were: Manuel Laigh, George Reid and Cornelius Ballard. Miss Rachel Laigh had charge of the refreshments. The following are the officers of the new body, which will be known as St. Stephen’s Lodge, No. 89; Chancellor Commander, Rev. J. W. Riddick, Jr.; Master of Work, Prof. S. H. Clarke, A. B.; Keeper of Records & Seal, Erastus Williams; Master of Finance, Jesse Williams; Master of Exchequer, J. W. Riddick, Sr.; Vice Chancellor, John Willis Edwards; Prelate, John Davis; Master at Arms, Jeremiah Copeland; Inner Guard, J. H. Taylor; Outer Guard, Leonard Ward; Trustees, Dr. J. E. Ashburn, Dudley Martin, James H. Herring.
The visitors heartily enjoyed themselves. The Grand Chancellor spoke and complimented the new lodge upon its appearance. District Deputy Wm. A. Myers gets credit for this new organization. The party left at 1 o’clock for Portsmouth, from which point the Grand Chancellor and his associates will leave for Richmond.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Contributed By
Ryan Shah
Citation
“Pythians Enter Norfolk County,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed March 21, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/364.