Letter from N. H. Hubbard to his brothers and sisters, 1849

Autograph letter signed by N. H. Hubbard to his brothers and sisters, four pages. Hubbard describes a Masonic funeral that he witnessed in Virginia, close to the North Carolina border. He explains 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." Hubbard also wrote that one Mason from each lodge threw a spade of earth on the grave and they all took turns until it was filled. He also compares Freemasons and Odd Fellows which Hubbard is more familiar with. He gives a description of a Virginia "barbacue" with sheep and lambs dressed whole and set across poles and roasted, as well as other activities.