Spencer Lewis, the founder of AMORC, in his book Rosicrucian Manual put the photography above and wrote: “This is Mrs. May Banks-Stacey, co-founder and
first Gran Matre in USA.”
And in others texts, Lewis added that this lady was also a deep student of the occultism for years, she had
traveled much abroad in search for knowledge and had been initiated in many
forms of Rosicrucian work. She was also the Delegate of the Order of India, a member of many lodges, and the person
who gave very important documents and jewels to Lewis for the creation of AMORC.
We are therefore talking
about someone very important in the history of AMORC.
But did that lady really exist?
The researcher David T. Rocks1 published an article in the magazine
Theosophical History, October 1996, p.144-150 (link) where he shows that this lady did exist, but she was not the great
Rosicrucian occultist who traveled widely abroad as Lewis claimed, but was in
reality the widow of a captain who lived humbly all his life in U.S.A. with the
pension given to her by the U.S. government. 2
And below I transcribe his article:
~ * ~
Manly P. Hall (1901-1990) believed that Rosicrucians actually
existed; however, he also wrote that “the whole subject of Rosicrucianism has
been intensely complicated by misrepresentation and imposture.” 3 As one of the most invidious critics of Rosicrucianism in America, Hall
was convinced that the claims of “a number of modern organizations” were
utterly false.
Similarly, in his analysis of American Rosicrucianism Arthur Edward
Waite (1857-1942) wrote that the Societas Rosicruciana in America “obviously
has no tradition, no claim on the past and no knowledge thereof.” Moreover, he
concluded that:
« It would serve
no useful purpose to enlarge upon later foundations, like that of Dr. R.
Swinburne Clymer, who seems to have assumed the mantle laid down by [P.B.]
Randolph, or Max Heindel’s Rosicrucian Fellowship of California. They represent
individual enterprises which have no roots in the past. » 4
And, in spite of the fact that Waite’s assessment of American
Rosicrucian groups did not include Harvey Lewis’ enterprise, it cannot be
inferred that Lewis’ claims of authenticity were any more valid than the claims
of his rivals.
Harvey Spencer Lewis (1883-1939) was the founder of the Ancient
Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, established in New York City on April 1, 1915.
Lewis introduced May Banks Stacey (1846-1918) as co-founder of his group in a
biography written for the initial issue of AMORC’s 5 official organ, The American Rosae Crucis. 6 Approximately three years later, Lewis wrote a combination
obituary-biography of Stacey together with a testimonial attributed to her in support
of his claims. 7 Finally, in 1927,
Lewis condensed the data in both biographies and incorporated the fragments
into his autobiography, giving her some notoriety, albeit for his benefit.
Lewis wrote that:
« He made his
first contact with the work of the Rosicrucians through obtaining copies of the
secret manuscripts of the first American Rosicrucians who established their
headquarters near Philadelphia in 1694. A member of the English branch which
sponsored the first movement in America, Mrs. Colonel May Banks Stacey,
descendant of Oliver Cromwell and the D’Arcy’s of France, placed in his hands such
papers as had been officially transmitted to her by the last of the first
American Rosicrucians, with the Jewel and Key of authority received by her from
the Grand Master of the Order in India while an officer of the work in that
country. » 8
On the face of it, the gesture of including Mary Stacey in his autobiography
seemed to be a strategy for the reinforcement of Lewis’ claim to Rosicrucian authenticity.
Although Lewis publicized her as the organization’s co-founder, Stacey never
signed the group’s original charter. 9 Moreover, evidence of Stacey’s membership in “the English branch which
sponsored the first [Rosicrucian] movement in America” remains to be
discovered. In any case, only Lewis and Stacey knew for certain the reasons
for, and, the extent of their association. Therefore, a biographical sketch,
supported by sources out- side of the Rosicrucian Order (AMORC), is essential
to determine whether or not Mary Stacey could have functioned in the capacity ascribed
to her by Lewis.
Mrs. Stacey was born Mary Henrietta Banks in July 1846, in
Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. The census of August 30, 1850
records Mary H. Banks, age 4, in the household of Thaddeus Banks. 10 The exact day of her birth remains to be discovered. Additionally,
records relevant to her formal education have yet to be located.
However, available records disclose that her father was a Presbyterian 11 and a Democrat. 12 Also, Thaddeus Banks was a well known attorney in Hollidaysburg, who in
1862 served in the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania. 13 Furthermore, he was the son of Judge Ephraim Banks of Lewistown, Pennsylvania 14 and the grandson of James Banks Jr., a member of the State Legislature in
1790 15, as well as a Major
General in the Pennsylvania Militia during the War of 1812. 16
Mary’s earliest known immigrant ancestor, James Banks Sr., was born in
Ayr, Scotland in 1732. 17 He and his wife Anna sailed for America and landed at Christiana
Bridge, Delaware in 1755. From Delaware they went to New London Crossroads, Chester
County, Pennsylvania, where they made their first home in this country. In
1756, James Banks Sr. enlisted and served two years in the Indian campaigns
with Captain Clinton’s Volunteers, who incidentally were under the command of
Colonel George Washington. In 1758, he enlisted in the army of General Forbes
and marched against Fort Du Quesne in the French and Indian War. 18
Mary’s mother was Delia Cromwell Reynolds of Cecil County, Maryland,
daughter of Reuben Reynolds and Henrietta Maria Cromwell. 19 In short, since Mary Banks was a fifth generation American on both
sides of the family, her reported membership in an English branch of
Rosicrucianism could serve only to obscure the issue of her origin. 20
Meanwhile, Mary Henrietta Banks married Captain May Humphreys Stacey on
December 9, 1869, at her father’s home in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. The
ceremony was performed by Reverend William Preston, Rector of Saint Andrew’s
[Episcopal] Church of Pittsburgh. 21
Captain Stacey was an adventuresome choice as a husband. In 1857 he
crossed the plains to California with Lieutenant Edward F. Beale, who was
surveying a wagon route between Alberquerque, New Mexico, and the Colorado
River. The only camels that ever crossed the continent were taken by Lt.
Beale’s party. 22 After reaching
California, May Stacey stayed for over a year, then returned home on a merchant
ship via Calcutta and the Cape of Good Hope. In 1859 he was appointed Master’s
Mate of the United States steamer Crusader. Soon afterwards, Stacey joined the
United States Coast Survey steamer Corwin where he remained until his
appointment as first lieutenant in the Union Army. 23 He was promoted to captain Twelfth Infantry August 19, 1864 and was
three times breveted for distinguished services. 24
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, Captain May Stacey and his bride Mary became
the parents of a daughter and two sons: Delia Van Dycke Stacey born at Hollidaysburg,
November 9, 1870; Aubrey Banks Stacey, born at Angel Island, California, February
29, 1872; and, Edward Cecil Cromwell Stacey, born at Camp Halleck, Nevada,
February 14, 1876. 25
The Staceys were stationed at the most desolate outposts the Army had to
offer between 1869 and 1882. According to data in his personnel file Captain
Stacey served as commanding officer at the following posts: Fort Grant, Fort
Lowell, Fort Mojave, and Fort Thomas, Arizona; Camp Reynolds on Angel Island
and Fort Yuma, California; Camp Halleck and Fort McDermit, Nevada. Finally, the
Staceys spent their last four Army years at Plattsburg Barracks, and Fort
Ontario, New York. 26 Captain Stacey died
at Fort Ontario on February 12, 1886 from paralysis caused by the wounds he
received in the Civil War. 27 In a short time, May H. Stacey Post No. 586, Grand Army of the Republic
was chartered in his honor at Oswego, New York. 28
Captain Stacey was buried in Chester, Pennsylvania. Afterward,
affidavits obtained by Mary Stacey to secure her widow’s pension indicated that
she and her children lived with in-laws in Chester during the period 1886-1887,
and with her sister’s family in Baltimore from 1887 to 1891. The report
submitted to Congress by Mr. Brady of the committee on pensions stated that
Captain Stacey’s death left Mrs. Stacey and three children in needy circumstances. 29 Hence, the necessity of living with relatives was evident. Initially,
her pension was $20.00 per month, plus $2.00 per month for each child under sixteen
years of age. Three years later, the United States Senate approved a pension of
$30.00 per month. 30 Supplemented by
financial assistance from her children, she lived on that amount for the
remainder of her life.
Clearly, times were hard. From 1892 to 1897, Mary Stacey lived in a
boarding house at 139 West 41st Street, New York City. Her landlord, Fred
Stanley Betts, complained to the War Department that “Mrs. Stacey, the mother
of Lieutenant Stacey was $450.00 in arrears for her board bill.” Betts wrote
that “she and her son signed a note payable, then moved.” 31 Further proof of her sorry financial circumstances may be inferred from
a letter written to President McKinley. Of her youngest son, she wrote:
- “He is my main support. . . . I have no political influence, but I have
given both my boys to the country. My eldest boy is in Cuba.” 32
In another letter on behalf of her youngest son, Mary Stacey also
revealed information about her personal life. On April 26, 1898, she wrote:
- “I am the First Vice President of [the] New York Women’s Republican
Association, and worked hard in the Presidential campaign. My son is a New York
soldier, so I write to you as our Senator, begging you to use your influence
with the President and Secretary of War, to appoint Sergeant Stacey as Second
Lieutenant.” 33
Also, February 25, 1898, a friend of the family, Thomas F. Reed,
Surveyor of Customs, Port of New York, wrote to General Alger of the War
Department on behalf of Sergeant Stacey. Likewise, his letter revealed
information about Mary Stacey’s private life. Of Mrs. Stacey, he wrote:
- “With the prominence and loyalty of his father we can add the
distinguished and energetic life and labors of his mother Mrs. May Banks
Stacey, who is engaged in duties on the rostrum, in our schools, and before
societies, teaching the young those lessons of patriotism, which makes our
Republic the great and growing power of the world.” 34
Mary Stacey had been teaching at the Charlier Institute, a private
school, on Sixth Avenue at Fifty-ninth Street, opposite Central Park. 35 Her brother-in-law, Professor Elie Charlier was the founder of the
Institute and a French Episcopal minister as well. Moreover, he was Jeannette
Stacey’s husband.
Consequently, working for her in-laws proved beneficial for Mary Stacey.
In addition to the extra income, she found plenty of time to actively campaign
for Cromwell’s promotions. Eventually, her efforts were successful. Cromwell
was appointed second lieutenant of Infantry at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on
July 15, 1898. 36 During the Spanish
American War, he distinguished himself in Puerto Rico and a few years later in
the Philippines, 37 while his older
brother, Aubrey, never rose above the rank of Sergeant. 38 The following extract is from one of Mary Stacey’s letters to Secretary
of War, Elihu Root:
« You will see I
am with the 19th U.S. Inf. Now at Camp Meade, [Middletown] Pa., with my son
Cromwell, 1st Lt. but who has acted Captain all through the Porto Rican
Campaign. You may have seen how he covered himself with glory by capturing the
famous brigand [Estaban] Garcia. The New York papers [New York World, April 16,
1899] gave Cromwell’s picture and a full account taken from the Porto Rican
papers, in which they said Lt. Stacey deserved great things for thus saving the
lives and property of the people. »
Most important, Cromwell’s military service reports made it possible to
accurately document his mother’s places of residence. 39 Therefore, this information combined with the knowledge of her
financial circumstances would seem to preclude the notion that Mary Stacey
served as an officer of the Rosicrucian Order in India. In fact, existing
records support the contention that her personal and financial circumstances
made it all but impossible for her to travel anywhere other than from relative
to relative.
Indeed, Mrs. Stacey prepared a holographic will while residing with her
daughter in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She described the extent of her wealth
as: “all personal property, viz., jewelry, clothes, bric-a-brack, books, mining
shares, and whatever I may possess at death. . . . .” 40
Mary Stacey died on January 21, 1918 41, and her daughter filed the will at the Circuit Court of Cook County,
Probate Division, on March 11, 1918. Assets in the estate were about $100.00. 42 Sexton’s records from Graceland Cemetery and Crematorium, 4001 North
Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, confirm that Mary Stacey was cremated and her
ashes scattered.
_ _ _
On the whole, sources outside of the Rosicrucian Order (AMORC) pointedly
suggest the following:
1) Although some of Mary Stacey’s relatives were wealthy, her immediate
family lived modestly. And, in spite of hardships, Mary Stacey was always
completely devoted to her family. When she died she was living with her
daughter in Evanston, Illinois, and her youngest son Cromwell was stationed at
nearby Fort Sheridan. It seems unlikely that she would have forsaken her
children to embark upon an arduous and expensive journey to India.
Consequently, evidence of Stacey’s service as an officer of the Rosicrucian
Order in India remains to be discovered. Likewise, it is unclear how Mary
Stacey could have been “a member of the English branch which sponsored the
first [Rosicrucian] movement in America.”
2) Finally, Lewis benefitted from their relationship in ways that were
obvious. In contrast, one can only speculate concerning the benefits to Mary
Stacey. Therefore, the claims of Harvey Spencer Lewis pertaining to the degree
of Stacey’s involvement with his organization must remain questionable. And,
since that is the case, it would appear that Lewis’ claims of Rosicrucian
authenticity were just as incredulous as the claims of his rivals.
NOTES
1. Mr. Rocks is a former member of AMORC and currently the head of Rocks
and Associates (Orange, California). As a historian, he is the author of W.C.
Fields — An Annotated Guide: Chronology, Bibliographies, Discography,
Filmographies, Press Books, Cigarette Cards, Film Clips, and Impersonators (Jefferson,
North Carolina: McFarlane, 1993). Mr. Rocks is also the author of two
bibliographies of Orange County (California) history: “A Contribution Towards a
Bibliography of Orange County, California, Local History, Together with a
Checklist of the Publications of the Fine Arts Press of Santa Ana, California”
(1971) and Orange County Local History, 1869-1971: A Preliminary Bibliography
(1972).
2. Mrs. May (Banks) Stacey was Mary Henrietta Banks, the wife of May
Humphreys Stacey. The reference to May Banks Stacey was a gender role
stereotype whereby her identity was defined by the relationship to her husband.
3. Hall, Manly P. The Riddle of the Rosicrucians (Los Angeles:
Philosophical Research Society, 1941), 2, 14-15.
4. Waite, Arthur Edward. The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross (London:
Rider & Co., 1924), 615-16.
5. AMORC is an acronym for the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis.
6. Lewis, H. Spencer. “Mrs. May Banks Stacey Matre, Rosae Crucis
America.” The American Rosae Crucis. Vol. 1, No.1 (January, 1916): 16-17.
7. “The Supreme Matre Emeritus Raised to the Higher Realms.” Cromaat. D
(1918): 26-27. [Editor’s note: D refers to vol. 4 of the issue.]
8. Rosicrucian Manual. AMORC. (Charleston, W. Va.: Lovett Printing Co.,
1927), 13, 128. Lewis claimed that the German Pietists were the first American
Rosicrucians. See Julius F. Sachse, The German Pietists of Provincial
Pennsylvania, 1694-1708. (New York: AMS Press, 1970), iv, 37. Manly P. Hall,
Codex Rosae Crucis. (Los Angeles: Philosophical Research Society, 1974), 33-38
contains a complete description of the so-called secret manuscripts of the
first American Rosicrucians.
Mrs. Stacey fervently believed that she was a lineal descendant of
Oliver Cromwell. However, famed genealogist Francis B. Culver was the first to
discover the erroneous Cromwell connections. “Unfortunately, every Cromwell who
emigrated to Maryland claimed descendance from the Protector, but, no one has
proven a relationship.” Additionally, the eminent Maryland genealogist Harry
Wright Newman, wrote that “after studying the foregoing [genealogical]
outlines, it shows conclusively that the Maryland Cromwell’s are not descended
from Oliver the Puritan, unless they be from his son and namesake, Oliver, who
is supposed to have died without issue at the age of twenty-one.” See Newman’s
Anne Arundel Gentry. A Genealogical History of Twenty-Two Pioneers of Anne
Arundel County, Md., and their descendants. (n.p.: Maryland Pioneer Series,
1933), 4-5.
9. Lewis, Ralph M. Rosicrucian Documents (San Jose: Supreme Grand Lodge
of AMORC, Inc., 1975), 6. Photograph of the Pronunciamento [charter] issued and
signed on the occasion of the first meeting of the American Supreme Council of
the AMORC in New York City, April 1, 1915. Mary Stacey was not one of the
several women who signed the document.
10. United States. Census. Schedule I. Hollidaysburg, Blair County,
Pennsylvania. August 30, 1850. Family of Thaddeus Banks, House 53, Family 62,
page 195.
11. Letter to the author from James M. Hanly, Pastor, First Presbyterian
Church, Hollidaysburg, PA, dated 16 September 1985. “Thaddeus Banks united with
this church in January 9, 1864. . . .”
12. Davis, Tarring S. and Lucille Shenk. A History of Blair County,
Pennsylvania (Harrisburg: National Historical Association, 1931), II-168. “He
[Thaddeus Banks] was the Democratic candidate for judge against Dean and Taylor
in 1871, but was defeated.”
13. Wiley, Samuel T. and W. Scott Garner. Biographical and Portrait
Cyclopedia of Blair County, Pennsylvania. (Chicago: Gresham Publishing Co.,
1892), 92.
14. History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys,
Embraced in the Counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In Two Volumes. (Philadelphia: Everts, Peck &
Richards, 1886), vol. I, 467-68.
Ephraim Banks was a native of Lost Creek Valley (now Juniata County);
was born January 17, 1791. He came to Lewistown in 1817, and was appointed
prothonotary of Mifflin County in 1818 by Governor Freedley. After studying
law, was admitted to practice in 1823; was a member of the Legislature in
1826-7-8; a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1837; was elected
auditor-general of the State in 1850, and re-elected in 1853. In 1866 he was
elected associate judge of Mifflin County, which position he held at the time
of his death, in January, 1871.
15. Jordan, John W. A History of the Juniata Valley and Its People. Volume
I. Illustrated. (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1913), 115.
16. Montgomery, Thomas Lynch. Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series.
Volume VII. (Harrisburg: Harrisburg Publishing Co., State Printer, 1907),937.
“A general return of the Militia of Pennsylvania for the year 1812. Names of
Major Generals: James Banks.”
17. Note that James Banks Sr. was born 38 years after the German Pietists
settled near Philadelphia.
18. History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys embraced
in the Counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I: 824-31. Note: Captain Clinton was also Banks’
landlord.
19. The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Maryland and
District of Columbia. (Baltimore: National Biographical Publishing Co., 1879),
556-57.
20. The English branch of AMORC was established in 1921. See the
Rosicrucian Forum, 26-4 (February 1956): 95.
21. Stacey, Mary H. Affidavit of Marriage to May H. Stacey, dated
February 26, 1886. Thomas Dees, Clerk of Orphan’s Court, Chester, Delaware
County, Pennsylvania.
22. Fowler, Harlan D., Camels to California. (Stanford: Stanford
University Press, 1950),46-67, 92-93. Also see Stacey, May Humphreys. Uncle
Sam’s Camels: The Journal of May Humphreys Stacey, Supplemented by the Report
of Edward Fitzgerald Beale, 1857-1858, edited by Lewis Burt Lesley. (Cambridge,
MA: Harvard University Press, 1929).
23. Martin, John Hill. Chester and It’s Vicinity, Delaware County in
Pennsylvania; with Genealogical Sketches of Some Old Families. (Philadelphia:
n.p., 1877), 47.
24. United States. Cong. House. Report on May H. Stacey by Mr. Brady
from the committee on pensions. 49th Congress. 2nd Session. House Report 3694.
January 20, 1887. Note: A brevet is a commission giving a military officer
higher nominal rank than that for which he receives pay. However, such a
commission, carries no right of command. It may be conferred by the President
of the United States by and with the consent of the Senate upon officers of the
Army and Marine Corps for distinguished conduct and public service in the
presence of the enemy.
25. Stacey, Mary H. Affidavit of Birth and Baptism of Children of
Captain and Mrs. Stacey, dated March 8, 1886. J. N. Shanafelt, City Recorder,
City of Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. All three of the Stacey
children were baptized by Episcopal ministers.
26. United States. Adjutant General’ s Office. Personnel File 2930, May
H. Stacey. 124 leaves.
27. United States. Cong. House. Report on May H. Stacey by Mr. Brady
from the committee on pensions. 49th Congress. 2nd Session. House Report 3694.
January 20, 1887.
28. Boyd’ s Oswego City Directory, 1895-96, 75. The original Post
Charter and the membership register is in the archives of the New York State
Library at Albany. Note: The Grand Army of the Republic was a Civil War
veteran’s organization.
29. United States. Cong. House. Report on May H. Stacey by Mr. Brady,
from the committee on pensions. 49th Congress. 2nd Session. House Report 3694.
January 20, 1887.
30. United States. Cong. Senate. Report on May H. Stacey by Mr. Paddock
from the committee on pensions. 50th Congress. 2nd Session. Report 2560.
February 8, 1889.
31. Betts, Fred Stanley. Bills Owed by Mrs. May Banks Stacey since May
1, 1898. Letter to War Department, dated May 1, 1899. Betts wrote, “Since that
date I have heard not a word from either of them, and it seems to me that I
have been done out of my money, unless the department in some way induces Lieutenant
Stacey to uphold the honor of a United States Army Officer by meeting his just
obligations.”
32. Stacey, Mary H. Letter to President McKinley re: Promotion of
Cromwell Stacey, dated [illegible], 1898. Her statement, “Again, Mr. President,
I beg as a soldier’s widow, as a Grand Army woman, and as a Mason [?], for your
help.” This is puzzling. Since women were not allowed into the fraternity
proper, she may have meant a women’s masonic auxiliary, which would imply that
Captain Stacey was a Mason. To be sure, she did not mean Co-Masonry because it
was not established in America until 1903.
33. Stacey, May Banks. Letter to [New York] Senator concerning promotion
of Cromwell Stacey. April 26, 1898. Name of Senator covered by transmittal
notation to the Secretary of War.
34. Reed, Thomas F. Letter from Office of the Surveyor of Customs, Port
of New York to General Russell A. Alger, War Department concerning Cromwell
Stacey. February 25, 1898.
35. Eyre, Lawrence. Family Records of the Stacey Family and their
Connections. (n.p., n.p., [1936]), 32-33.
36. Stacey, Cromwell. Oath of Office. July 15, 1898.
37. United States. Army. Headquarters Philippines Div., Manila, P. I.
January 26, 1906. General Orders No. 6. Commendation of Cromwell Stacey.
38. United States. Army. Register of Enlistment, Aubrey B. Stacey. May
7, 1904, Entry 1487, page 188. May 22, 1908, Entry 1353, page 102. February 7,
1911, Entry 618, page 240.
39. United States. Adjutant General’s Office. Personnel File 9250,
Cromwell Stacey. Microfilm, 1204 frames. Extracted from Officer’s Individual
Service Report:
1898-1899 101 West 40th Street, New York City
1899-1902 137 West 67th Street, New York City
1902-1903 47 West 63rd Street, New York City
1903-1904 160 St. Charles Place, Atlantic City, NJ
1904-1905 816 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC
1906-1907 Hotel Fredonia, Washington, DC
1908-1910 160 St. Charles Place, Atlantic City, NJ
1911-1917 26 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD
1917-1918 1003 Davis Street, Evanston, IL
40. Stacey, May Banks. The Last
Will & Testament of May Banks Stacey, Atlantic City, New Jersey, February
16, 1904. I leaf.
41. Certificate of Death, State
of Illinois, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Mary B. Stacey. Date of Death: January
21, 1918. Filed: February 5, 1918.
42. Naramore, Milton O. Attorney
for Delia (Stacey) Muller. Letter to Bureau of Pensions, dated June 6, 1918.
“There was no property left by the widow except a few personal effects contained
in trunks which are in storage in New York City.”
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