CHAPTER XII

1738
1738, April 6, South Carolina. “John Hammerton, Esq., P.G.M. of S. Carolina,” vis- ited the Grand Lodge of England. De) GIA 2957 Anderson (Ed. 1738) 138.
1738, April 13, Philadelphia.
Benjamin Franklin writes a letter, the original of which is still preserved, to his father and mother that they are unduly exercised and that Freemasons “have no principles or practices that are inconsistent with religion and good manners.”
See Franklin’s “Common-place Book’’ in the Dreer Collection of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
1738, April 18, Boston. The New England Weekly Journal published under its news from London:
“We hear that the principal Members of the Society of Free and Accepted Mafons intend to wait on the Prince of Wales, with an humble Requeft to his Royal Highnefs, to accept of the Grand Mafterfhip of that Ancient and Honourable Body for the Year enfuing.”
P=t 203
204 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1738, April 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Ebenezer Swan made. P.L. 1738, May 21, New York.
Provincial Grand Master Riggs’ arrival at New York is announced in the New York Gazette for this date.
1738. .)0ne 2, Philadelphia.
The last known meeting of the Lodge at Philadelphia, about which we have learned much from “Libr B,”’ oc- curs on this date.
L.B.
1738, June 24, Boston. Celebration of the Festival. Benjamin Hallowell chosen Master of the First Lodge. 1 Mass. 6.
Savannah, Ga.
Rev. George Whitefield in his journal records under this date, ““Was enabled to read prayer and preach with power before the Freemasons, with whom I afterwards dined.”
Whitefield’s Journal. Mackey 1518. IV Gould 261.
Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 6, 1738, recounts the choosing of Joseph Shippen as Grand Master of Pennsylvania at a Grand Lodge held at the Indian King this day and the last entry in “Libr B” bears this date.
1738 208
The prejudice induced by the mock initiation hereto- fore referred to was so great that the activities of the Fraternity in Pennsylvania utterly ceased so far as we can learn until June 28, 1749, (g.v.) with the exception of a single meeting June 24, 1741 (¢.v.).
See also
1914 Mass. 262. 1906 Mass. 90. 1903 Mass. 49.
Joseph Shippen.
The Joseph Shippen here mentioned was undoubtedly Joseph Shippen, Jr., born November 28, 1706, a son of Joseph Shippen, a son of the president of the Provincial Council and first Mayor of Philadelphia under Penn’s Charter of October 25, 1702. He went in the family by the name of “Gentleman Joe.” He served as Junior Grand Warden in 1735, Senior Grand Warden in 1736, Deputy Grand Master in 1737, Grand Master in 1738. He was elected, October 5, 1742, to the City Council, in which he served for many years. In 1755, he again served as Junior Grand Warden. He subsequently re- moved to Germantown. He died in 1793, and was buried in Christ Church burying ground.
1 O.M.L.P. 42.
1738, June 26, New York.
The New York Gazette publishes a song for the Free- masons and a parody on the same for the ladies. They are not worth reprinting, but they never would have found their way into a newspaper unless Freemasonry had become enough of an element in the life of the city to attract public attention.
206 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1738, August 3, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Cunningham made. P.L. 1738, August 23, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Cunningham ad- mitted. BAL;
1738, August 28, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following paragraph:
“A Conftitution by the Pope is publifhed at Rome, which forbids the affociating of the Free Mafons upon Pain of Excommunication; and that in the mean time thofe Societies at Florence and Leghorn which were fup- prefs’d in the Reign of the late Duke, have open’d their Lodges again without fear of the Inquifition, becaufe the Prefent Great Duke is a Brother; and they write from Con{tantinople, Smyrna, and Aleppo, that the Societies there are very much increafed; and that they have ad- mitted feveral Turks of Diftinction.”
Taal
1738, September 11, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following:
“They write from Florence, that the Pope judging the Fraternity of the Free Mafons to be highly deferving of the Ecclefiaftical Cenfures, his Hollinefs has iffued a Bull of Excommunication againft that Society, the sub- {tance of which is as follows:
In the midft of the Cares of the Apoftlefhip, and the continued Attention we have to extirpate Herefies, and maintain the Lord’s Vineyard in all its Purity; we have
JOSEPH SHIPPEN
1738 207
heard with Grief and Bitternefs of Soul, that a certain Society, who {tile themfselves the Fraternity of Free Mafons, after making Progrefs in several States in Eu- rope, have likewife {pread into Italy, and even had fome Increafe. We have confidered that the impenetrable Secret of this fo Myfterious Society is the effential Part, and as it were the Batis of its Inftitution; and that being thereby become fufpicious to the Temporal Powers, fev- eral of them have profcribed it in their Dominions. We have likewife confider’d, that by much {tronger Reafons it ought to be fufpicious to the Spiritual Power, whofe Charge it is to have an ever watchful Eye to every Thing that may concern the Salvation of Souls. For thefe Reafons, and animated by our Paftoral Care, we have condemn’d, and do condemn by the prefent Bull the So- cieties of Free Mafons, as perverfe, contrary to publick Order, and having incurr’d the Major Excommunication in its utmoft Extent, forbidding all Perfons, of what Rank, Quality, or Condition foever, who profefs the Catholick Apoftolick, and Roman Religion, to caufe themfelves to be written down, or received into that So- ciety, to frequent any of its Members, or hold Corre- {pondence with them, or to fuffer or tolerate any Af- femblies of Free Mafons in their Houfes, under Penalty to the Contraveners of incurring likewife the faid Ex- communication ; referving to ourfelves alone the Right of taking it off, except in Cafe of Death, &c.
Given at Rome, May 29, 1738.” iets
~
1738, September 18, — Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following:
“Letter from Florence, dated May 24. The Free Mafons Lodges which had been interdicted here, during the Life of the late Great Duke, are now held again with all the Liberty and Freedom imaginable; and without any Dread of the Inquifition, which has no
208 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
Right to attack a Society of which the new Sovereign is a Member. (This is falfe Logick; a Sovereign may be a Member of a very illegal and evil Society: But the Strefs lies in this point; the Inquifition has Power over the Sovereign himfelf in Matters of Religion, Etc. )
The Free Mafons of Leghorn have alfo re-open’d their Lodges; and we hear from Con{tantinople, that the Lodges at smyrna & Aleppo are greatly encreas’d, and that feveral Turks of Diftinction have been admitted into them. This is falfe again; the Free Mafons fure are Men of too much Honour, Religion and Good-Senfe, to receive the declar’'d Enemies of Jefus Chrift into their Society.”
Veena
1738, September 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Tanner made. els
1738, October, Boston. Pro. G. M. Tomlinson sails for England by way of Antigua. 1 Mass. 6.
1738, October 9, Boston.
The Boston Gazette publishes an elaborate account of the laying of the Corner-stone of the new Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh, Scotland, by the Fraternity on August 2, 1738.
aii,
1738, October 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Alexander Woodrop and Alexander Bowman admitted. Pale
1738 209
1738, November 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Pelham made. eed by Re Peter Pelham, see 1744, August 8.
1738, November 22, Antigua.
On this date a Lodge was Constituted at St. John, Antigua. This became “The Great Lodge” April 4, 1744, @.v.
OE.
L.M.R. 81.
Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 378. Prichard 28.
1738, December 9, Boston.
The accounts of the Masters Lodge which are written in the back of their First Book of Records begin by show- ing that upon this date there was bought of Beteilhe & Price “4 yds. Green Coating and 3 1-4 yds. Scarlet Riband,” in preparation for Institution.
OTe AB:
The members of this firm from 1736 to 1741 were
Francis Beteilhe and Henry Price.
1738, December 22, — Boston. The Masters Lodge was constituted on this date, and Regulations or By-Laws were offered by a committee. The original record book of this Lodge beginning on this day is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts. On its first pages it bears the report of this
210 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
committee and annexed thereto are the original signatures of Hallowell, Oxnard, and Overing.
O.R.
See also O.R. for December 7, 1753.
See page 33.
1738, December 27. Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge in Boston. The earliest original records of the First Lodge in Boston now known to have been preserved begin on this date with the “VI” meeting of the quarter.
The volume is a folio of two hundred and seventy pages bound in sheepskin. ‘The secretary evidently felt the importance of his position and the dignity of the Lodge because this book is quite an elaborate affair. The fly leaf bears the following inscription set forth in im- posing text:
THIS BOOK OF REGISTERS BELONGING TO THE ANCIENT AND HON?!®, socIETY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS IN BOSTON NEW ENGLAND WAS PRESENTED BY BRO’. THOMAS WALKER, SENIOR WARDEN.
Anno Domini 1738, And of Masonry 5738.
Then follows a copy of the Deputation of Henry Price. Next are the quaint and curious By-Laws begin- ning:
1738 211
“The following Regulations or By-Laws were unani- mously Voted and agreed upon by the Brethren of the first Constituted Lodge in Boston New England at their Meeting October 24, 1733-5733 and are as follows. . . . Viz.”
See page 104, supra.
Next is a copy of the deputation granted by the Earl of Loudoun December 7, 1736, as Grand Master of Eng- land, to Robert Thomlinson, as successor of Henry Price.
This is followed by the record of a meeting of the Lodge, being the “VI” meeting of the quarter. The secretary during the first year was Ebenezer Swan, a school master. We should have expected better chirog- raphy from a school master. Swan was succeeded by Peter Pelham as secretary on December 26, 1739, g.v. The Lodge opened a new account book on this date also, the first entry being ‘‘to a Ball®° brought from a former book,”’ etc.
O.R.; A.B. See page 33. 1883 Mass. 159. 1900 Mass. 126. The Grand Lodge also celebrated the Festival. 1 Mass. 6.
Charleston, South Carolina. The South Carolina Gazette for December 28, 1738, contains the following interesting account of the cele- bration of the festival:
“Yefterday being the Feftival of St. John the Evan- gelift, the day was ufhered in with firing of guns at fun-
212 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
rife from feveral {hips in the harbour, with all their colours flying. At 9 o’clock all the members of Solo- mon’s Lodge, belonging to the Ancient and Honourable Order of Free and Accepted Mafons, met at the houfe of the Honourable James Crokatt, Efg., Mafter of the faid Lodge, and at 10, proceeded from thence, properly clothed with the Enfigns of their Order, and Mufic be- fore them, to the houfe of the Provincial Grand Mafter, James Graeme, Efgq., where a Grand Lodge was held, and James Wright, Efg., elected Provincial Grand Maf- ter for the enfuing year, then the following officers were chofen, viz: Maurice Lewis, Efg., Deputy Provincial Grand Mafter; Mr. George Seaman, Senior Grand War- den; James Graeme, Efg., Junior Grand Warden; James Michie, Efg., Grand Treasurer, and Mr. James Gordon, Grand Secretary.
At 11 o’clock, both Lodges went in procefsion to Church to attend Divine Service, and in the same order returned to the houfe of Mr. Charles Shepheard, where, in the Court-room, to a numerous afsembly of ladies and gentlemen, the newly elected Provincial Grand Mafter made a very eloquent fpeech of the ufefulnefs of fo- cieties, and the benefit arifing therefrom to mankind. The afsembly having been difmifsed, Solomon’s Lodge proceeded to the election of their officers for the enfuing year, when Mr. John Houghton was chofen Mafter; Dr. John Lining, Senior Warden; Mr. David McClellan, Junior Warden; Mr. Arthur Strahan, Secretary, and Mr. Alexander Murrary, Treafurer. After an elegant dinner all the brethren were invited by Capt. Thomas White on board the Hope; there feveral loyal healths were drank, and at their coming on board and return to fhore, they were faluted by the difcharge of 39 guns, being the fame number obferved in each of the different fa- lutes of this day, so that in all there were about 250 guns fired. The evening was concluded with a ball and en- tertainment for the ladies, and the whole was performed with much grandeur and decorum.”
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1738 213
James Wright.
James Wright was of eminent ancestry. His grand- father, Sir Robert Wright, Knight, was Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench in the time of James II. His grandmother was the daughter of Matthew Wren, Lord Bishop of Ely, nephew of Sir Christopher Wren.
James’ father was born in South Carolina, of which province his father, the Honourable Robert Wright, was Chief Justice. At an early age he was appointed At- torney General of the colony and ably discharged the duties of that office for twenty-one years.
In October, 1760, he went to Georgia as Lieutenant- Governor, where he served with distinguished ability, being granted full executive powers as Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief, March 20, 1761. He was an ardent loyalist, dissolving the Assembly instantly upon its signifying approval of the letters from Massachu- setts and Virginia. For his zeal, wisdom and prudence he was created a Baronet in 1772 while on a visit to Great Britain. He deserved the honour.
“Diligent in his official duties, firm in his resolves, loyal in his opinions, courteous in his manners, and pos- sessed of a vigorous and well-balanced mind, he was respected and loved by his people; and though he dif- fered from a majority of them, as to the cause of their distresses and the means of their removal, he never al- lowed himself to be betrayed into one act of violence, or into any course of outrage and revenge. The few years of his administration were the only happy ones Georgia had enjoyed and to his energy and devotedness may be attributed its civil and commercial prosperity.”
Upon the breaking out of the Revolution he was arrested, but escaped and sailed for England. Later he
214 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
returned and re-established Royal government in 1779, but finally when all of Georgia except the City of Sa- vannah was in American hands, Wright received orders, June 14, 1782, to evacuate the province, which he did.
He was adjudged guilty of high treason to the State of Georgia and his property to the amount of about $160,000 was confiscated. He was made President of the Board of Agents of the Loyalists in their attempt to gain reimbursement for their losses and the Parlia- mentary Commissioners reported in his favour, among others.
Sir James did not long survive his political misfor- tunes, as he died in England in 1786.
2 Stevens’ History of Georgia, 18 et seq.
1738/9, January 2, Boston.
This is the date of the first regular meeting of the Masters Lodge, which had been Constituted December 22, 1738, g.v. It has been stated erroneously that it was founded this day. Some similar condition of affairs un- doubtedly accounts for the dates of July 30 and August 31, 1733, having been assigned at different times as the Constitution of the First Lodge in Boston. Of the Mas- ters Lodge, Henry Price was the first Master and Francis Beteilhe the first Secretary.
O.R.; A.B. 1 Mass. 7. 16 M.F.M. 135. 1871 Mass. 317.
With this date and until July 6, 1753, the Treasurer’s accounts of the Masters Lodge are to be found in detail in the back of the original record book.
A.B.
1738 215
1738/9, January 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Leonard Lockman made. OTA neg cd og Breas a of
1738/9, January 22, New York.
There is an advertisement in the Vew York Gazette announcing that the Lodge will for the future be held at the Montgomerie Arms Tavern. ‘This would indicate that it had been meeting elsewhere for some time past. This Lodge was never shown upon the Official Lists.
L.M.R. 478.
1738/9, January 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1738/9, January 31.
Robert Tomlinson, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of New England, attended a meeting of the Grand Lodge of England held at the Devil Tavern near Temple Bar. This communication was attended by many noted Ma- sons, among whom were the Grand Master, the Marquis of Carnarvon; John Payne, Esq.; John Theophilus Desaguliers; The Earl of Darnley; Martin Clare; Past Grand Master the Earl of Loudoun from whom Tom- linson’s commission had come; and John Hammerton, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of South Carolina.
RIO CAL B00.
1738/9, February 2, Boston.
The Boston Gazette for February 5 published the fol- lowing article evidently intended as an answer to some criticisms of our Fraternity, véz.-
216 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
“To the Publifher of the Bofton Gazette, SIR,
By inferting the following Lines in your Paper, you will greatly oblige your conftant Readers and humble Servants;
oh bin)
Homo ad Societatem natus, St. Augustin
Man is a focial Creature, and cannot poffibly enjoy any Comfort or Happinefs in a reclufe and retired Life, entirely deprived of Converfation or Society; for it is that which f{weetens Life unto us and renders us fit for Converfe with Heav’n. By exercifing our Tho’ts, and by communicating that Knowledge we are invefted with to our Fellow-Creatures, we not only oblige ourfelves, but them; For we by thinking furnifh our Minds with more Knowledge, and by communicating to our Fellow Creatures we aftord them Aid in their Search after Truth. And as no one will deny but that this 1s a glorious Prac- tice, fo they muft allow that the Way for executing it mu{t be by Society, for without it what would become of the Minds of Men? Even the Body which is only the cortex of the Man could not fubfift without it. But then, How much greater Care ought to be taken of the Mind, which would inevitably fuffer without it, and come to nothing, but Unhappinefs and Confufion?
And is this the Cafe that we mu{t be in without So- ciety? Let every Lover of Reafon then {tir himfelf up, and put forth all his Powers for fetting up fuch Societies for the invefting the Mind with Learning and true Knowledge. And if there are already any fuch Societies {et up among us, let the Members of fuch Societies con- fider that the Ends of Society is the good of the Perfons af{fociated, and that the keeping private the Secrets of {uch Societies is doing a great Benefit to the Society to which they belong. For it is to be fuppofed by all Men of Reafon, that every Society is governed by fome Law or other, and that the Members are to keep them with all
1738 217
Care. But let the ignorant and unthinking Part of Man- kind fpit out all their Malice and Fury, and call Society to Task for their convening together; the Way they fhall be anfwered is according to the Advice of Solomon the wifeft of Men—an{fwer not a Fool according to his Folly, left he be wife in his own Conceit. Bofton, Feb. Mah 849: Philo-Mathes.”’ Rent
1738/9, February 6, — Boston. Meeting of the Masters Lodge. George Monerieft (Moncrief) raised. Orns AB: The Treasurer’s account for this day shows the pure chase and engraving of Jewels, Rods, etc.
O.R.
1738/9, February 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1738/9, February 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1738/9, March 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1738/9, March 14 Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.
218 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
Antigua. Baker’s Lodge constituted at St. John, Antigua. ON: Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. L.M.R. 79. Prichard 28.
This Lodge as No. 164 first appears on the Official English List in 1740. On the same list another Lodge appears at St. John as No. 170.
L.H.B. 40.
1738, Annapolis. Annapolis Royal Lodge constituted by Erasmus James Philipps, who became its first Master.
Cape Breton, Louisburg and West Indies.
The entry referred to under 1737 (page 202) is re- peated under 1738 with the words added ‘excepting such places where a Provincial Grand Master is already deputed.””» What Commander Douglas may have done is unknown, but it is reasonably certain that Comins never exercised his deputation, at least until after 1749. This limitation of his authority is evidence of the recog- nition of the Provincial Grand Mastership of Philipps for Nova Scotia.
See closing items of Chapters XI and XX.
CuaptTer XIII 1739 1739, March 28, Boston.
Alexander Delavoux made.
Op a pa ee) Baa
1739, April 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Coie ACD:
1739, April 11, Boston—Nova Scotia.
Meeting of the First Lodge. The records report the presence as a visitor of ‘““R‘ W.pfull Br°: Erasmus Ja’: Phillips G: M. De Nov: Scot?”
O.R.; A.B. See page 195. For notes concerning Pro. G. M. Philipps see page 195, supra.
Provincial Grand Master Robert Thomlinson of Bos-
ton was in London, where this day he executed his will. For copy and record of its probate see page
E72: 1739, April 14, Jamaica. Lodge Constituted at Kingston, Jamaica. O.L: Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. L.M.R. 82.
Prichard 28. 219
220 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1739, April 25, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1739, May, Boston.
Pro. G. M. Thomlinson returns to Boston from Lon- don.
1 Mass. 7. 1739, May 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1739, May 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1739, May 15, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. William Morris made.
ORE Pile Alb:
1739, May 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Clement Vincent admitted.
O.R.; A.B. 1739, June 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1739, June 13, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Hugh McDaniel chosen Master. OPPs AIB: 1 Mass. 7.
1739 221
1739, June 14, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- ing passage, v2z..
“We hear from Rome, that about a Month fince, by Order of the Inquifition, was burnt there, in the open Place before the Church of Santa Maria fupra Minerva, with great Solemnity, a Piece wrote by the Chevalier Ramfay (Author of the Lives of Cyrus, Fenelon Arch- bifhop of Cambray, &c) in Defence of Free-Mafonry, (of which he was a member) entitled, Relation Apolo- gique et Hiftorique de la Secrets des Francs-Mafons, par J. G. D. M. F. M. A Dublin chez Patriae Odonoko, 1738. This was publifhed at Paris in Anfwer to a pre- tended Catechi{m printed there by Order of the Lieu- tenant de Police, much of the fame Nature and Author- ity of that printed in Englifh by one Pritchard and paraded into the World by the fame folemn Oaths; though the one is as little credited as the other.”
| eear
1739, June 21, St. Christopher. The Mother Lodge held at Scotch Arms, Basseterre, St. Christopher, Constituted.
@©2b. Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. L.M.R. 78.
1739, June 22, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. John Pringle and John Akins made. i ecuies ACB:
1739, June 25, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains the following para- graph:
222 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
“We hear, that the Society of Free and Accepted Ma- fons belonging to the Lodge in this Town, intend to Mor- row in the Afternoon, to walk in Proceffion in all their Formalities, with a pair of Kettle Drums before them, from the South End of the Town, to the Houfe of Mr. Luke Vardy in Kingftreet, where a moft elegant Supper will be provided.”
Pet
1739, June 25, Savannah, Ga.
William Stephens, who was sent to Savannah as “Sec- retary to the Trustees in Georgia,” wrote in his diary under this date:
“Monday. This being the Grand Anniversary of the Free Masons every where (as it is said) the Brethren with us would not let it pass without due Observance. Mr. Norris accordingly was asked to give them a Sermon, which had been customary with his Predecessors; and he made them an ingenious Discourse, with a decent and proper application: From Church they marched in solemn Order to Dinner at a publick House, the Warden, Dr. Tailfer (who likes Pre-eminence as well as any Man) attended by four or five with Wands, and Red Ribbands in their Bosoms as Badges of their several Offices, took Place foremost; but the Train that followed in white Gloves and Aprons, amounted only to about Half a Dozen more; which some, who are apt to burlesque the Order, turned into Ridicule.”
IV Colonial Records of Georgia, 361.
1739, June 26, Boston.
An account of the elaborate celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Baptist on this day appears in the Bos- ton Gazette for July 2, 1739, viz.:
1739 223
“Tuefday laft being the Day appointed by the Right Worthipfull Robert Thomlinson Grand Mafter of the ancient and honourable Society of the Free and Accepted Mafons, in and of New England, for the Celebration of a Feftival, in Commemoration of their Patron Saint John the Baptist: The fame was obferved here with the ut- moft Decency, and Solemnity, by the Gentlemen of that Society.
At three in the Afternoon They affembled at the Houfe of their Brother John Wagborn, from whence they walk’d in Proceffion to His Excellency’s Houfe, properly Cloathed, and Diftinguifhed, with Badges, and other Implement pertaining to the feveral Orders and Degrees of the Society, proceeded by a Compleat band of Mutfick, confifting of Trumpets, Kettle Drums, &c.
The Society was elegantly entertain’d at the Gov- ernour’s, from whence they walk’d in the fame Order with his Excellency their Brother, to their Brother Stephen Deblois Houfe, where they were entertain’d with a fine Concert of Mufick: After which they walk’d to the Royal Exchange Tavern in Kingftreet, where a fumptous Supper was provided, to which were invited many Gentlemen of Diftinction, Civil, and Military.”
P-t. See also Boston Weekly News Letter for July De E739:
The following account of the celebration in doggerel appeared in the American A pollo, a magazine printed in Boston, upon the first printing press manufactured in that city:
“‘Messrs. Printers, The following historical scrap, wrétten by the late Joseph Green, Esq., claims a place in the Apollo. J. M. We insert this, by particular desire, according to the original form.
224 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
A true and exact account of the celebration of the Festival of St. John the Baptist, by the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, at Boston in New England, on June the 26th, 1739, taken from the Boston Gazette, and ren- dered into Metre, that chil- dren may commit it to and retain it in their
memory.
‘They might distinguish different noise Of horns, and pans, and dogs, and boys, And kettle drums whose sullen dub, Sounds like the hooping of a tub.’ Hupisras.
{In Roman callendars we find,
Saint John the Baptist’s feast assign’d, To June the twenty-fourth, and he,
(For so all Masons do agree)
A famous Lodge in days of old,
In Jordan’s wilderness did hold.
For this as legends us acquaint,
They made a Patron, of the Saint;
Right worshipful Bob THomrrnson,* Having ¢his duly thought upon;
The Lodge on Tuesday last did call,
To celebrate the festival;
For June the twenty-fourth was Sunday, And Brother BetcHeEr ® fasts on Monday; So for the sake of eating dinner,
He frick’d the Saint to please the Sinner, The Brethren, soon as this was known, All met to walk about the town.
1 Robert Tomlinson, Provincial Grand Master. * His Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Governour of his Majesty’s Province of Massachusetts Bay.
1739 225
First Brother Wacuorn * was their choice, Waghorn of sounding fame and voice; At three, they to his house repair,
And having staid a little there, Proceeded onwards through the street, Unto his Excellency’s seat;
For as thts Waghorn was a Brother
His Excellency was another.
Unlucky name it grieves full sore, Waghorn and Belcher—but no more. Here, having drank and giv’n the sign, By which he was oblig’d to join,
From hence in Jeather apron drest
With tinsel 72bdons on their breast
In pompous order march’d the ¢razn, First two, then three, then two again;
As thro’ the street they pass’d along,
All kinds of music led the throng; Trumpets and kettle drums were there, And horns too tn the front appear. Thus they went on thro’ various noises To hear them fiddle at DeBLOoIs’s— And thence came thro’ another street, To Brother Luxe’s” to drink and eat; For Luke was ordered to prepare, Plenty of every dainty fare;
Tongues, hams, and lambs, green peas and chickens So that, in short, ’twas ‘pretty pickings.’ Girls left their needle, Boys their book, And crowded in the street to look;
And if from Jaughing we guess right, They were much pleased with the sight. All this by land—now follows after The gallant show, upon the water.
The ship, that HoLLowELt is named, From Hortowe tt, for building famed;
1 Mr. Waghorn, Grand Sword Bearer. 2 Luke Vardy, Innholder.
226 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA Of which their Brother Alexander
French was part owner and Commander; Soon as appeared the Eastern Beam This ship, haul’d off into the stream, Red baize was tacked on the top,
And all the colours hoisted up,
And on the mizzen peak was spread, A leathern apron, \in’d with red.
The men on board all day were glad, And drank and smoked like any mad. And from her sides three times did ring, Great guns as loud as anything,
But at the setting of the sun
Precisely, ceas’d the noise of gun,
All ornaments were taken down,
Jack, ensign, pendant and Apron.”
1739, June 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Peter Prescott admitted. O.R.; A.B.
Antigua. Meeting of Grand Lodge at St. John. See 1739, August 8, znfra.
1739, June 28, Boston.
The Boston Weekly News Letter prints the following paragraph, viz.:
“There are Weétterstrom r olant. yo pee They add, that the Society of Free Mafons {preads fo faft at Pofen that the Clergy there have thought it their Duty to oppofe it, and that a Bull of Excommunication has been publifh’d againft that Fraternity, not only in all the Churches there, but in other Parts of Poland.” Pot:
1739 22'7
1739, July 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers John Hame- ilton and St. Clair raised. O.R.
1739, July 10, Boston. Meeting of the Auditing Committee of the First Lodge.
A.B. 1739, July 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1739, July 25, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge.
Robert Jenkins and Lincy Wallis made and admitted. That they were made this night does not appear on the original records, but the record for July 11th shows their election and the record for this night shows their admis- sion; therefore the Pelham List must be correct notwith- standing the omission in the records. Both the Pelham List and the original records show the admission of James Montier and John Nappier. The original records also state that Brothers John Pringle, John Akins, and Albert Dennie were admitted.
OH Reel esd ay oF
1739, August 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters Lodge.
“The Lodge being opened Bro. Peter Napper (Nap- pier) desireing to be raised, was accordingly examined,
228 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
and being found a good Fellow-Craft to the Satisfaction of the Lodge, was unanimously Voted in, and Raised a Master in due manner & form and paid 30/. for En- trance & quarteridge.”’ Election. ORS Psi.
Following the record of this meeting are two blank pages. This was the time when the Secretary, Brother Beteilhe, apparently became incapacitated (see page 36), although his partnership with Price was not dis- solved until 1741. No other records of this Lodge ap- pear until December 2, 1743, g.v. The Pelham List, however, gives proof that meetings were held during the interval, for it gives the names of four Brethren who were raised and seven who were admitted during the unrecorded _ period.
OPK GLP;
1739, August 8, | Boston—Antigua. Meeting of the First Lodge. Upon the records appears the following letter:
“Right Worshipfull Worshipfull Thrice Worthy & Ever Dear Brethren We with the utmost Pleasure recd: your hearty con- gratulation Upon the Establishment of Masonry in this our Island, And return thanks to Our Worthy Brethren of Boston for the good Opinion they entertain of the virtues of Our Countrymen, which we hope will be con- tinualy encreasing as the Royal Craft comes every day to flourish and gain ground among us, not only by the Ac- cession of numbers of New Brethren, but especially under the happy Influence of our thrice Worthy Right Wor-
1739 229
shipfull Grand Master his Excellency William Mathew, whom we boast of as a true good, Mason & a sincere lover and encourager of our inestimable craft.
We take kindly our Dear Brethrens offer of a friendly correspondence and should before this time have signified the pleasure we hope to reap from it, by an answer to yours of the 4th of April last but that we waited for an Opertunity of sending our sincere and hearty good wishes to our Brethren and Fellows by the hands of one who might in our name greet you in a Brother like manner.
We are now so happy as to enjoy this wishd for Oper- tunity by Our well beloved Brother Majr. John Murrys intending for Boston in a Very few Days, whom we commend to you as a Worthy upright Master Mason who has for some time past. Executed the office of SW of one of our Lodges to the entire satisfaction of all his Brethren and Fellows.
All the Brethren here salute you well beloved with the greeting of St. John, wishing that all Prosperity may attend you, and that no Malicious Cowan may ever with profane ears & eyes approach even the lowest step of your Worshipfull Lodge, in Order to listen to the Wis- dom or pry into the Beauty or Disturb the order & har- mony thereof.
From the Grand Lodge We are Dear Brethren held at the Court House in Your Sincer Effectionate St. Johns the 27th June Brethren and Humble Av 5/39, Servants.
Signed by the Command of the Rt. W:pfull the Grand Master William Mercer GS” CA. b:
1739, August 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
230 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1739, September 12, —__ Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Caleb Phillips made. OR | BIS sAtB:
1739, September 24, New York.
The New York Gazette has an advertisement that the Lodge will meet on Wednesday, September 26th, at 6.00 P.M.
1739, September 26, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Smith and Capts. James Underdown, Narias Vaughn, and Edward Calior (Keller) made.
Op ReS 2 "Al:
1739, October 8, Boston.
The advertisement of John Dabney appears in The Boston Evening Post offering for sale, among other things, Freemason’s jewels.
P-t.
1739, October 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1739, October 15, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains the following para- graph:
“Friday, June lft, was interred in Burnhill Fields, the Corpfe of Dr. An- derfon, a Diffenting Teacher, in a very remarkable deep Grave. His Pall was fupported by five Diffenting
PETER PELHAM
Secretary of the First Lodge in Boston, from December 26, 1739 to Sept. 26, 1744
a ‘S405 a 0 - &e
_ * *
04.
1739 231
Teachers and the Rev. Dr. Defaguliers: It was followed by about a Dozen of Free Mafons, who encircled the Grave; and after Dr. Earle had harrangued on the Un- certainty of Life, &’c the Brethren, in a moft folemn difmal Pofture, lifted up their Hands, sigh’d, and {truck their Aprons three Times in Honour to the deceafed.”
Dr. Anderson was the compiler and publisher of the first printed Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Eng- land. To Dr. Desaguliers, more than any other person, we owe the casting of our ritual in substantially its pres- ent form.
The signs given will be recognized by the Brethren of some jurisdictions as in use to-day though their meaning and original purpose have generally been forgotten.
1739, October 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother James Monk ad- mitted. OE) a aed Ee Ba, a oo
1739, October 31, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Meeting of the First Lodge at Portsmouth, N. H., at which “Regulations or By-Laws” were adopted as shown by the earliest volume now known of the records of this Lodge. It is not certain whether a record book, now lost, was kept prior to this date or not. Concerning this Lodge see 1735/6, February 5, supra.
O.R.
1739, November 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Hugh Surrey, John Lamport and Peter Dillon made. CUTER ed BS 8S
232 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1739, November 15, Antigua. Corner Stone of Fort James laid with Masonic cere- monies by Is° Mathew, Pro. G. M. West Indies Circular, Vol. 23. 1916 Mass. 239. See page 170. This is the first definite record of a Masonic corner stone ceremony in the Western world. ‘The stone, with its inscription, is still visible.
1739, November 28, — Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1739, December 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Timothy Mc- Daniel made.
O.R.; P.L.; A.B.
Antigua.
Antigua Lodge, Courthouse Lodge, Lodge in Saint Mary’s Street, and Bafsatee (Basseterre) Lodge, each stated as of Antigua (although the latter is of course the Lodge in Saint Christopher) are reported on the records of the Grand Lodge of England as making payment to the Grand Treasurer for their Constitution.
X O.C.A. 322.
1739, December 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. The records for this meeting appear in a new handwriting and state
that Peter Pelham was elected Secretary. O.R.
oo
ak
THE LODGE A
FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF RECORDS OF
FOR JANUARY 17, 1739/40
)
, NEW HAMPSHIRE
filsl
PORTSMOU
1739 233
1883 Mass. 159. 1900 Mass. 122. Re Peter Pelham, see pg. 290. From this date to the end of the volume the entire rec- ord is in the beautiful penmanship of Peter and Charles Pelham. For a facsimile of one page, see 1740, April
23, infra.
1739, December 27, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the First Lodge and Grand Lodge. O.R. 1 Mass. 7.
South Carolina.
Meeting of Solomon’s Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge at Charleston, South Carolina. Graeme again chosen Provincial Grand Master. Benj. Smith elected Master of the Lodge.
South Carolina Gazette for December 31, 1739.
1739/40, January 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Meeting of the Lodge at Portsmouth, N.H., when the By-Laws adopted October 31, 1739, ¢.v., were approved, being subscribed by Geo. Mitchell, Master; N. Fellows, S.W.; Robert Hart, J.W.; Henry Sherburn, Treas. ; Jon’ Loggin, Sec. pro tem, and other Brethren. These By- Laws in the original record book bear the signatures of fifty one Brethren, although most of them signed after this date.
O.R.
234 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1739/40, January 9, —_— Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.
1739/40, January 17, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge at Portsmouth. Pro. G.M. Robert Tomlinson of Boston was present.
O.R.
1739/40, January 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.
1739/40, February 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.
1739/40, February 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.
1739/40, March 12, _ Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.
Barbados. St. Michael’s Lodge Constituted at Bridgeton, Bar- bados. O.L. Entick 337. L.M.R. 86.