Scottish Rite (Masonic Order) French Language Collection, 1787-1825, 1907, n.d.

The origins of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry can be traced to France around 1754, when a Chapter of Claremont was founded in Paris. Initially this chapter had seven degrees, but by 1758 there were twenty-five degrees, known as the Rite of Perfection. In 1761, Stephen Morin was appointed to introduce the Rite into the New World. He began with Kingston, Jamaica and San Domingo. Further establishments were made in New Orleans, LA(1763); Albany, NY (1767); Philadelphia, PA (1782); and Charleston, SC (1783). In order to improve the disorganized state of the degrees in Europe, “Grand Constitutions” were enacted in 1786. These Constitutions formally brought into existence the “Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite”. None of the degrees of the Scottish Rite would seem to have origins in Scotland. “Scottish” is translated from the French word “Ecossais”, which is found in some of the French titles of some of the degrees of the Rite of Perfection. It is possible that the Scottish connection is a result of the involvement of a Scotsman, Andrew Michael Ramsey, who may have devised some of the degrees.

Photograph - William Woodruff (1783-1860) and Margaret Clement Woodruff (1794-1882)

Pair of photographs, 17 ½ cm x 12 cm of William Woodruff, son of Ezekiel and a 17 ½ cm x 12 cm photograph of Margaret Clement Woodruff in a folding silver frame. These photographs were described by R. Band in 1990 – description is included.

Probate of Last Will and Testament of Alexander Simpson of Crowland Township

Probate of Last Will and Testament of Alexander Simpson of Crowland Township, January 29, 1872.

Indenture between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and Alexander Pettigrew

Indenture regarding articles of agreement between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff of St. Catharines and Alexander Pettigrew of Merritton for parts of building lots 17, 18 and 19 of the Clifford Tract in Merritton (2 copies), Oct. 21, 1899.

Letter - R. Woodruff to Alexander Hamilton

Letter to Alexander Hamilton of Queenston from R. Woodruff of St. Davids. The letter states that Mr. Woodruff is not able to send butter as requested. Mr. Hamilton received credit for the butter and Mr. Woodruff cannot say when they will have turkeys. The letter is slightly stained and has a hole in the upper right hand corner. This does not affect the text, Dec. 22, 1824.

Letter - R. Woodruff to Alexander Hamilton

Letter to Alexander Hamilton of Queenston from R. Woodruff stating that Mr. Woodruff is sending 2 letters because he is remitting money and doesn’t want to send the full amount in one letter, Sept. 18, 1832.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John I. Mackenzie regarding 1 share of the Long Point Company transferred from Alexander McInnes and 2 shares transferred from E.C. Clark

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John I. Mackenzie regarding 1 share of the Long Point Company transferred from Alexander McInnes and 2 shares transferred from E.C. Clark. The shares were transferred to John I Mackenzie, Sept. 6, 1870.

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland to construct and build the main drain through the marsh lands tract commencing in lot no. 27 in the 4th concession in the township of Humberstone in a southerly direction (6 pages, handwritten). This is signed by John Frazer, Provisional Warden, Dexter Deverardo and Alexander Cook. (2 copies), Dec. 30, 1854.

Estimate of clearing and chopping done by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimate of clearing and chopping done by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains, signed by Fred Holmes, Feb. 23, 1855.

Estimate of work done by Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clement, Patrick Roche and Thomas Baird

Estimate of work done by Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clement, Patrick Roche and Thomas Baird, signed by S.D. Woodruff, Feb. 26, 1855.

Estimatesfor clearing done by the contractors including Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clements and Thomas Baird

Estimatesfor clearing done by the contractors including Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clements and Thomas Baird. This document is signed by S.D. Woodruff. This is complete with an envelope made out to S.D. Woodruff, April 28, 1855.

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff, Nov. 10, 1855.

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains. This is signed by S.D. Woodruff. Also on this sheet is pay roll for engineer services for the months of September, October and November, 1855. This was paid to Frederick Holmes, Thomas Baird, Joseph Simpson and Len [illegible name], Nov.30, 1855.

Estimates for marsh drainage sent to Dexter Deverardo from S.D. Woodruff for Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimates for marsh drainage sent to Dexter Deverardo from S.D. Woodruff for Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains, Nov. 30, 1855.

Estimate of work done on marsh drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimate of work done on marsh drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains, Nov. 1855.