Maffitt remained at the Academy until 1804 when he notified the board of trustees that he intended to "relinquish his situation as principal" on June 8. No hint of his future plans was given. [28]
At least as early as 1799, Maffitt became a member of Masonic Lodge 22 [29] and took "part in other community activities befitting a schoolmaster and minister. On December 24, 1799, the Alexandria Gazette reported:
Friday next being St. John's Day, Brother Maffitt, at the request of Lodges 22 and 47, will deliver a Charity Sermon at the Presbyterian Meeting house at which all the brethren are requested to attend. N.B. it is expected that every brother will appear with his badge of mourning—and those of Lodge 22 in full mourning. [30]
A physiognotrace of "William Maffett, chaplain."
Courtesy of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, A. F. & A. M., Alexandria, Virginia.
George Washington, a member of Lodge 22, had died on December 14, 1799, and the call was to a memorial service. Maffitt did not, as legend claims, preach the funeral sermon, although he did march with the clergy in the lodge's funeral procession from Alexandria to Mount Vernon to attend the ceremony.[31]
Earlier in 1799, the minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church show that Rev. William Maffitt was assigned to Bladensburg.[32] There is no record of his actual presence there and he was not re-assigned.[33] For the rest of his life, his listings in the minutes show him "without charge." Although Maffitt was a licensed minister, there is some doubt that he was ever ordained.[34]
On January 14, 1800, the subscribers to the establishment of a Washington Society met at Gadsby's Tavern and William Maffitt was named to the committee to form the constitution and by-laws.[35] On January 28, Maffitt was appointed chaplain of the society,[36] a post which he held at least through 1803. On February 23, 1800, the society was called to meet at Gadsby's at 10 a.m. "to move in procession to the Presbyterian Meeting House where an oration will be delivered by the Rev. Mr. Maffitt, commemorative of the distinguished merits of the Illustrious Washington."[37] Again, on February 22, 1803, the Washington Society called on Maffitt to deliver a memorial sermon on the first president "at the Presbyterian Church at 12 o'clock. There will be instrumental and vocal music and the day will be announced by a discharge of 16 rounds from the Market Square."[38]