CHAPTER X

1736
1736, April 6, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, After April 15, London—South Carolina. The Earl of Loudoun issued a Deputation to John Hammerton, Esq., as Pro. G. M. for South Carolina. Preston (Portsmouth, 1804), 186. Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. Entick (1756 Ed.) 333. BC, Condon, U7 39 ae
John Hammerton. Of John Hammerton, Mackey tells us in his History of Freemasonry in South Carolina:
‘(He was a man of talent and of considerable civil dis- tinction in the Colony. In 1732 he was the Receiver General of his Majesty’s Quit Rents, and in 1734, the Secretary of the Colony. In 1738, he is recorded as hav- ing received the appointment of Register and Secretary of South Carolina for life. These were all offices of great honour and trust, and his appointment to them is an evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by the parent government.”
He did not exercise this deputation until October 28, 1736, when he was content to serve also as the Master of
Solomon’s Lodge. 152
1736 153 1736, April 26, ~ Boston.
The Boston Evening Post contains the following item:
“Some private Societies of Gentlemen who call them- felves Free Mafons, having been fet up in Holland, the Mob began to fhew their Diflike to fuch Meetings, by threatening to pull the Lodge or Houfe where they af- fembled, about their Ears; but foon after the States of Holland thought fit, it feems, to pafs a Refolution again{t fuch private Affemblies; whereupon the City of Amfterdam publifhed a Placart again{t them, in Sub- {tance as follows, viz.:
Forasmuch as the Magiftrates in the City of Amfter- dam have heard, that there are Perfons in it, who, under Pretence of being Members of a certain Society called Free Mafons, have had the Affurance to form and fre- quent Conventicles and unlawful Affemblies upon that Account, and that fome have made ufe of their Houfes and Lodgings for holding the faid prohibited Affemblies; The Magiftrates having it at Heart to take Care of the Tranquility and Welfare of the City and its Citizens, have thought it proper and neceffary, to forbid and pro- hibit all Perfons in the faid City and its Jurifdiction, as they are by thefe Prefents forbidden and prohibited, to hold and frequent fuch unlawful Conventicles, whether with the Names of Free Mafons, or any other {pecious Title which they may affect; as alfo to hire, lett, and make ufe of their Houfes, Chambers, Barns, Cellars, Coach-houfes, or other Places, for the holding of fuch Aifemblies, under Pain of being feverely punifhed, as Disturbers of the publick Peace, &c.
Such another Placart has been publifhed againft them at the Hague, and ’tis faid their Lodges or Affemblies are to be fuppreffed throughout the whole Province of Holland: for the Dutch, it feems, look upon them as Accademies not only of Libertinifm and Debauchery, but of Faction and Rebellion, and therefore thofe, who keep
154 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
or frequent fuch Affemblies, are to be punifhed as Dif- turbers of the publick Tranquility.”
Pet 1736, May 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Patrick Robertson made. Peels. L/305 Mayra: Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. John Frazier and Col. John Morris made. fed be B.MS. Barons Letter.
1736, June 7, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, June Y, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Capt. John Hug- get admitted. Mate John (James) Farrell and Mate (Capt.) Giles Vandelure made.
Pale. B.MS. Barons Letter.
1736, June 14, Boston.
The Boston Evening Post contains an account of a so- ciety erected at Rome under the name of La Cuchiara, after the model of the Free Masons, and its immediately meeting with persecution by some of the Priests.
Rolf
1736 155
1736, June 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following votes were passed:
“That all New made Brothers, Shall Signify upon the Same Night of their Making for the next Lodge night follow® Wheither they will be Members or Not, And if they defire to be Members, Then they Shall be Admitted In, without a vote, paying twenty Shillings Entrance For their Quarteridge.”’
“That Every foreign Brother Admitted in, Member of this Lodge Shall pay two Shillings & Six pence to the Tyler.”
“That our prefent Secretary be Excufed & free from all Charges & Expenfes of this Lodge.”
B.MS. 16.
Bro. Capt. James Crawford admitted. top be B.MS. In the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is the original draft of a letter dated this day:
“From the Holy Lodge of St. John held in Boston New England” to “the Rt. Hbl. and Rt. Worshipful Grand Master or Deputy G. M. or G. W. of the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons In England” of good wishes and of recommendation “‘of our Rt. Wor- shipful Bro. M* Benj* Barons (our present S. G. W.)”
This letter with an accompanying list of names of the Free and Accepted Masons who were then members of the Lodge are also in Beteilhe’s handwriting. The letter has the original signatures attached of Henry Price, G. M., James Gordon, D. G. M., and Francis Beteilhe, G. Sec’y., although they are all crossed out in ink. The
156 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
letter and list either were retained as copies, or else for some reason were not issued. They are clearly genuine. The watermarks and texture of the paper are those of the period. The handwriting is unquestionably the same and even the ink is obviously the same that was used upon other documents by Beteilhe. Every name on the list is to be found on the Pelham List of 1751 except those of Captain Roger Willington and Saml. Wethered. The former is on the Beteilhe List of 1737 and both are upon the original records of the First Lodge in Boston. The list, so far as I know, has never been published. They read as follows:
“From the Holy Lodge of S' John’s Held in Bofton New England the 23° Day of June A.M. 5736.
Most Worthy and Dear Brethren,
Our great Affection for the whole Fraternity will not permit Us, to Slip this favourable Opportunity, to Give you Sincere Afsurance of our due Regards, for all our Most Worthy Brethren, regularly Met in the R* Wor- shipful Holy Lodge of S' John, under the Protection of the Heavenly Canopy And in Particular, That of Eng- land.
Our hearty good Wishes, We forward to You under the Recommendation of our Rt Worfpf. Brother M* Benj* Barons (our present S.G.W.) Who’s great Meritts has Contributed very much to the flourishing State of Masonry in this great Town.
Our Lodge was Constituted by Our Right Worfhipfull Grand Master M* Menry Price (Provincial Grand Mas- ter) on the 31* day of August A:D: 1733 & is held at the Royall Exchange Tavern in King Street Boston. And Meet the 2d & 4th Wednesday in every Month; It is Adorned with the most Eminent Gentlemen of this Place, And kept in it’s Primitive Beauty & Purity.
1736
157
We Should think our Selves thoroughly Happy, if any favourable Opportunity, would offer to Convince all Our Worthy Brethren, of our true Affection for their Person; and for their Interests in thefe Parts: But in a particular Manner for thofe of your Rt Worfhipfull
Lodge; to whome
We Remain with due Respect Most Worthy & Dear Brethren Yo* Affectionate Bro* and very humble Servents. Francis Beteilhe, G.Sec’y. Henry Price, G.M.
James Gordon, D.G.M.
See 1883 Mass. 157.
A List of the Names of the Free & Accepted Masons who are Members of the Holy Lodge of S‘ John. Held in Bofton In New England.
M* Henry Price. G.M
His Excell’ Jon® Belcher, Esq*
Andrew Belcher Esq"
Benj* Pemberton Esq’
Henry Hope Esq"
Cap" James Cerke
Cap” Roger Willington
M’* John McNeal
Brethren made In Bofton
Mr’ James Gordon D.G.M
M* Benj* Barons S.G.W.
M* Robert Tomlinfon J G W
Cap” Robert Mackeleen M.
M* Hugh M‘Daniel S.W.
M’ John Ofborne jun. J.W.
Francis Beteilhe Secty
Charles Bladwell Esq’
Doc" Tho* Moffatt
John Overing Esq’ M’* Tho*® Phillips
M* Andrew Hallyburton Mr?’ Tho® Oxnard Cap" Willm Hinton Cap” Rob‘ M‘Knight Cap” Webber Gofton Cap” Robert Smith Cap” Willm Frost Cap” Robert Boydd Cap" James Forbes Cap” Benj* Hallowell Doc* Robert Gardiner M"* Moses Slaittewey Mr’ Alex* Gordon
M”* Char* Gordon
M* Alex® Trann
M* Sam. Pemberton M’* Willm Wefson M’ Rob‘ Kenton
Who! ; dacs re ai
ieee
A athe Nemes atts Recblisped Maton | pelea es pipe Te ee ial
ie
Uijed
s Aa.
I) Wiktin Kirntapes
FACSIMILE OF LIST ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF FIRST LODGE IN BOSTON RECOMMENDING MR. BENJ. BARONS, JUNE 23, 1736
1736 159
M’ Robt Peafeley Coll® Jn°® Morris
M* Peter Prefcott Cap” John Fraizier
M* John Baker Cap" Ja® Farrell
M* Sam: Curwin Cap” Giles Vandellure
M?* Ant® Davis Cap" John Huggott
M’ John Smith M’ Fred* Hamilton
M* Sam: Wethered M* Tho*® Molony
M* Hugh Scott M’* Edm¢ Ellis
M* John Gordon M* Luke Vardy (Master M’ Rich® Patefhall of the Royall Exchange M* Fran Johonot Tavern
1736, June 24, Boston.
The Boston Evening Post for June 28, 1736, has the following account of the celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Baptist on this day:
“Thursday laft, being the Feftival of St. John the Baptift, the Annual Meeting of the Free and Accepted Mafons, they accordingly met at the Royal Exchange in King-Street, Bofton: The Grand Mafter Nominated and Appointed Meffieurs Hugh Mac Daniel and John Os- borne Wardens for the Year enfuing; after which they had an elegant Entertainment, his Excellency the Gov- ernour, the Rev. Mr. Commiffary Price, and feveral other Gentlemen of Diftinction being prefent.”
P-t. 1 Mass. 5.
Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 8, 1736, reports that Thomas Hopkinson, Gent., was chosen Grand Mas- ter of the Province of Pennsylvania at a Grand Lodge
held in Philadelphia this day. 1736, June 28, Boston.
A petition was forwarded for the appointment of
160 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
Robert Thomlinson (or Tomlinson) to succeed Henry Price as Pro. G. M.
1871 Mass. 309.
1883 Mass. 159.
1736, July 5, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, July 15, Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of the elec- tion of Thomas Hopkinson as Grand Master of the Province of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Hopkinson.
Thomas Hopkinson was born in London, April 6, 1709. He studied law, and about 1731, emigrated to Penn- sylvania. He was elected Junior Grand Warden June 24, 1734; Deputy Grand Master in 1735; and Grand Master in 1736. He was appointed Master of the Rolls, June 20, 1736; chosen Common Councilman, 1741; and became a member of the Provincial Council, May 13, 1747. He was one of the incorporators of the Phila- delphia Library Company, one of the original trustees of the College (now the University of Pennsylvania), and the first president of the American Philosophical Society. In 1751, he is mentioned among the ‘“De- parted Saints of the Law.” He married a niece of the Bishop of Worcester, was the father of Francis Hop- kinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the grandfather of Joseph Hopkinson, the author of our patriotic song, “Hail Columbia.” Bro. Hopkinson died in Philadelphia, November 5, 1751.
1 O.M.L.P. 37.
THOMAS HOPKINSON
a 7 7
1736 161
1736, July 22, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette gives an account of a Ma- sonic parade in London.
1736, July 27, Boston. The New England Weekly Journal of this date had
the following item:
“London, March 20,
On the 15th of next Month an extraordinary Feaft is to be held at Fifhmongers Hall by a felect Number of Free Mafons, in Honour of his Highnefs the Duke of Lorrain’s Narriage (sé¢), who is one of the Brethren.
N.B. Every Brother is to introduce two Sifters to this grand Feaft, to convince the Publick that they are no Enemies to the fair sex.”
P-t.
1736, August 2, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, August 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Shaw Mackintosh, Esq. and James Stevenson made. | Io B.MS.
1736, September 1, Boston.
Henry Price, G. M., James Gordon, D. G. M., Robert Tomlinson, M., Hugh McDaniel, Sr. W., John Osborne, Jr. W., and Francis Beteilhe, Sec’y, wrote a letter of recommendation for Brother Patherick (Patrick) Rob- ertson.
1 Mass. 393. See 1736, May 12, supra, and 1736, November 2, znfra.
162 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 1736, September 6, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, September 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Nicholas Davis admitted. ele
1736, October 4, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, October 28, Charleston, S. C. The South Carolina Gazette for October 29, 1736, has the following item:
“Last night a Lodge of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons, was held, for the first time, at Mr. Charles Shepheard’s, in Broad Street, when John Hammerton, Efq., Secretary and Receiver General for this Province, was unanimoufly chofen Maf- ter, who was pleafed to appoint Mr. Thomas Denne, Senior Warden, Mr. Tho. Harbin, Junior Warden, and Mr. James Gordon, Secretary.”
R. W. William G. Mazyck, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, says that this item is “absolutely unimpeachable evidence that Solomon’s Lodge No. | of Charleston is the oldest Masonic body in the western hemisphere, the record of whose establish- ment is absolutely unassailable.”’ ‘Though this claim is shown by the preceding pages to be untenable, it is only fair to state his contention.
1736 163
Philadelphia. Franklin, in his Journal, charges the Lodge at Bro. Hubbards
“Oct. 1736 For 1100 Tickets 4.11.8 For Advertisements LOGS F.J.
1736, November 2, Boston.
Brother Robertson presents his letter of recommenda- tion (see 1736, September 1, swzpra) to the Lodge Glas- gow Kilwinning and it is recorded in full upon the min- ute book of that Lodge.
1 Mass. 393. See also 1736/7, January 28 and February 22, énfra.
1736, November 8, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, November 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Thomas Renolds (Reynolds) made. els B.MS.
1736, November 19, _ Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. Peter Tomkins (Tonkin) and Richard Parks made. len ib B.MS.
164 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1736, November 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Dr. Archibald Ramsay made. P.L. B.MS.
1736, December 6, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, December 7, London—Boston.
On this date the Earl of Loudoun, Grand Master of England, issued his Deputation to Robert Thomlinson as Provincial Grand Master of New England.
B.MS. 19.
1 Mass. 5.
1871 Mass. 309, 349.
1900 Mass. 126.
Anderson (1756 Ed.) 333. P.C. (2nd London Ed.) 115.
1736, December 20, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736, December 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following vote was passed:
“That when ever any Town-dweller Shall be propofed to be Made, the 5th Article in the General Regulations in the printed-book of Constitutions, Shall be Strickly Observed.”
B.MS.
The 5th Article referred to provides that no man can be made or admitted without one month’s notice to the Lodge (unless by Dispensation) and due enquiry.
1736 165
1736, December 27, Boston. The Boston Gazette for January 17, 1736/7, contains the following item:
“It being St. John’s Day the 27th of December laft,
a Grand Lodge was held at the Royal Exchange Tavern in King ftreet Bofton by the ancient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons there, Mr. Henry Price Grand Mai{ter appointed his Deputy Grand Matf- ter and Grand Wardens for the Year enfuing, viz. Mr. Robert Thomlinfon Deputy Grand Mafter, Mr. Hugh McDaniel Sen. and Mr. John Osborne Jun. Grand Wardens.”
P—t.
1 Mass. 5.
South Carolina. Gould says that James Graeme was elected Pro. G. M. for South Carolina. IV Gould 394. But see, 1737, July 21, and August 18, énfra.
1736/7, January 3, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736/7, January 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Nathaniel Bethune made. aly. B.MS.
1736/7, January 28, Boston. The Lodge of Glasgow Kilwinning addresses a letter to Thomlinson, Provincial Grand Master, in answer to
166 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
that presented by Brother Robertson (1736, November 2, supra).
1 Mass. 394.
B.MS. 24.
It would be interesting to know how this Lodge knew of Thomlinson’s appointment. It had been petitioned for and the Commission had been issued (December 7, 1736), but the Commission was not received in Boston until April 20, 1737, g.v.
Is it not a fair guess that Brother Robertson delivered the petition and received the Commission for transmis- sion to Thomlinson, before he visited Glasgow? And, also, that perhaps he brought the Commission with him on returning to Boston?
1736/7, February 7, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736/7, February 9, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following vote was passed:
“That if at any time hereafter any foreign Brother Shou:d Come to the Lodge and after due Examination found to be but an Enter’d Apprentice, Shall be defired to withdraw in proper Time: Unlefs he defires to be made a Fellow Craft. Which Shall be granted, he pay- ing forty Shillings, for Such Admittance.”
B.MS.
1736/7, February 22, Boston.
Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge addresses to the First Lodge in Boston a letter of recommendation of Capt. Robert Paisly.
1 Mass. 394, B.MS.
1736 167
1736/7, March 7, _ Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1736/7, March 21, Boston.
The Boston Evening Post quotes the South Carolina Gazette of February 19, 1736/7, as announcing that the “Free Mafon, Capt. Phoenix from Jamaica,” had been “taken and condemn’d by a Spanifh Man of War near the Havannah.”
Pt.