American
House, Trenton etc. Belvidere
N.J. Nov.17th
1898
Dear
Cousin Henry J.:
I
arrived this evening from Trenton N.J.. I went down yesterday, 16th,
at 3 P.M. and stayed until this evening at 4:41 P.M.
The
Grand Lodge of I.O.of O.F. of New Jersey, was held there yesterday and today.
There was about 50 officers and Representatives and Past Grands present. I am
now the D.D.G.M. for the 13th District of New Jersey, composed of 8
Lodges in truth and in fact.
I
send to you herewith a slip cut from a Trenton paper containing a report of the
proceedings of yesterday.
In
New Jersey each Lodge elects
from
its list of Past Grands who have taken the G.L. Degree a representative whose
duty it is to attend the G.L. during its sessions for the year and vote for and
represent his lodge. Many Lodges also elect an alternate representative who
generally attends and gets his G.L. degree at the Expense of the Lodge. Then our State is divided into districts and
a D.D.G.M. is elected for such district who has the oversight of the lodges in
his dist. and acts as the deputy of the G.M.
It is the duty of the D.D.G.M. to install the officers in the lodges of
his district twice a year—and also to visit each lodge in the intervals at
least twice a year and inspect the records and books and papers
and
advise on matters as may be necessary and answer such questions as may be
propounded to him etc. The D.D.G.M.
gets $5.00 for each for such visit—paid by the Lodge so visited.
The
Grand Sire of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the World was present at the meeting
and made an address and installed the officers elect; also some of the officers
of the Grand Lodge of Penna., were present. They are all very pleasant
gentlemen.
On the Tuesday evening I called on Rev. Dr. J.B.
Thompson, at his home No. 20 Wall St.,
Trenton. I had a
very
delightful visit of two hours. The
Doctor and Mrs. Thompson are both very pleasant people. He showed me several of
his old historical and genealogical treasures.
He spoke very kindly of you and stated that he had lately received very
pleasant and agreeable letters from you.
I saw the old family Bible of our beloved ancestor Jacobje Middaugh Aten
again.-----------
Yes! Our state went Republican. Both branches of the Legislature are
Republican and that will give that party a new United Senator in place of a
democrat in this state. Old Pennsylvania
gave a big majority for the same party. In New Jersey the Democrats however
gain two members of
Congress
in this State.
Your
kind letter of the 11th inst. was duly received and read with much
pleasure. Dr. Thompson showed me the
history that he received as to the Baptism of Adrian Aten—the same that you
mentioned in your letter. The Doctor
thinks this discovery now puts you on the right track. He thinks he may
possibly get more history of the family from the same source. He is quite a
historian. I have nothing new in the
way of family to give you at this time.
I will speak to some capitalists and investors as I
see them about the matter of the $100,000 building in a floundering Illinois
town and see what they say about the idea.
All
your kinsfolk in this place and Penna., are usually well so far as I have heard
from them lately. Mrs. Hay and husband are well. I received a nice letter from
Mrs. Prentiss a few days ago, the first I have received since she left here in
Sept.
We are all well at my home at this time. We all send love and kind regards to you all at your home, and we all hope that you are all enjoying good health at this time.
Please
excuse this hastily written letter. I
wrote it so fast, and it is so late now nearly 12 o’clock midnight. I am in conclusion very
fraternally yours Nicholas Harris