CHAPTER XIV

1740
1740, March 26, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. At this meeting a com- mittee was appointed “to prepare a Remonstrance,” to lay before the Lodge on the matter of increasing the initiation fee.
O.R. See 1740, April 9, énfra.
1740, April 3, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Webster and Capt. Thomas Durfey made. Od 5 Ferd ect BY
Portsmouth, N. H. Meeting of the Lodge. William Wentworth made. O.R.
1740, April 7, Boston. Meeting of the Committee on the ““Remonstrance”’ re- ferred to under 1740, March 26, supra. O.R. 1740, April 9.
1740, April 9, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. The use of the words “humble Remonstrance” in the Oxnard petition of Oc- tober 7, 1751 (see page 369), has been misinterpreted
because of the present common use of the word. As 235
236 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
showing the true use of the word in those days as well as because of its general interest the record of the First Lodge for this meeting is quoted as follows:
Wednesday April 9th: 1740. Being Lodge Night The following Brethren Mett. The Rt.W: Bro: Robert Tomlinson G M The Rt.W: Bro: Hugh McDaniel M. Bro; I Waghorne SW. The Rt.W: Bro: T: Oxnard. D: G: M Pd: 20/. Bro: I Farrel J W Pd: 20/.
Bro: Benjn: Hollowell Bro: T: Walker
Bro: Fran: Johonnot V'Pd2 207 Bro: John Hutchinson Bro: H. Surrey Pdi203 Bro: Henry Price Bro: Durfee Visr: Pd: 5/. Bro: T: Moffatt Bro: ToWebster, (Pdaaeae Bro: Luke Vardy Bro:S. DebloisPD: 20/.
Bro: Stevenson Tylar3/. Bro: P. Pelham S Recd 3356/6 43241 9.4G:
The Lodge being open’d, the Comms: Appointed last Lodge Night, to prepare a Remonstrance to lay before the Rt. W. Masr: and Brethren of this Society, were Introduced in due form; and Order’d to Present the same: Bro: T: Moffat one of the Sd: Comms: was desir’d to Read it, in Audience of the Rt W: Masr. & Brethren; And, after due Attention
Voted, Nemeni Con: that the Sd: Remonstrance be Ingross’d in the Book and to pass into a Law, that, for the Future, the Premium to be paid by Candidates, at their Initiation, to be Ten Pounds.
Voted, that the Sd: Comms: be Respectfully Thanked for their Care and Trouble in drawing up Sd: Remon- strance: Which was perform’d by the Rt W: Masr: & Brethren in due form.
Voted, that the Sd: Comms: be continued, and, that our W: Brothers Oxnard and Waghorne be added to
1740 237
them, in order to prepare a Remonstre: (as soon as posable) for the Benifit of the Bank Stock &c of this Society.
The Rt W: Masr: Hugh McDaniel, Propos’d and Nominated, Mr: Box, (Rope Mkr:) a Candidate: and to answer 40/s.
To the Rt W: Mastr:, and W: Wardens, and the rest of the Members of this Lodge.
We whose Names are hereunto Annex’d being a Com- mittee appointed by this Lodge to consider, whether it be Expedient that a greater Premium than that now Stipulated by a Quandam Vote of this Society, be re- quired from Candidates before Admission into our Lodge.
We, after due Deliberation upon the present Circum- stances of this Lodge, and Treasury thereof, do think that it is now, not only Proper, but absolutely Neces- sary for preserving the Honour and Dignity of Masonry in General, and advancing the Interest of this Lodge in perticular: That the Sum paid by Novices before Intia- tion be Augmented, and that the said Augmentation when concurr’d to, & agreed on, may presently have the Sanc- tion of a Law hence-forward.
We Your Said Committee are perswaded, that most of the Reasons which prevailed for then establishing the Inaugurating Fee at the present Rate, do not now Subsist; and consequently cannot be employ’d as Argu- ments against our Judgment, and Opinion, to abrogate, or alter that Decree. As that was a Resolution of this Lodge when in its Infant-state, and scarcely a sufficient Number to form One perfectly, much less to Maintain it with Spirit: We regard it only as a Result of Neces- sity, and good Policy, whereby the Society might be En- creased to a proper Number.
We Your Committee are convinced that if the Sum paid by Candidates was fixed at Ten Pounds, it would not prevent any Man of merit from making Applica- tion: on the Contrary—would Invite, and induce Them, inasmuch as it would discourage those of mean Spirits,
238 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
and narrow, or Incumber’d Fortunes from Solliciting to Enter with Us: both which are Inconveniences which We cannot carefully enough avaoid, or provide against: because We apprehend the First to be a Disparagement to, and Prostitution of Our Honour; And the Latter are often a heavy Charge, and Burthen, in a General and Particular Respect.
We Your Committee observe that at Some Admis- sions, There has little or not part of the Money (after defraying incumbent Expenses) been applyed towards the encreasing of Our Publick Bank Stock—nay! that at Times, there has been Occasion Voluntarily to Contribute for discharging the Defficiency, or else Vote the Same out of the Treasury: by both which pernicious Practices, that Fund, which should be encouraged, & encreas’d by all honest Methods, & Means—is Lessen’d, & and the Noble Ends, & Purposes, for which it was destin’d, & appropriated—are frustrated, and rendered abortive.
Wherefore, We Your Committee move for Concur- rence with Us in Opinion, whereby the General, & Per- ticular Interest: & Honour of Our Society may be ad- vanced: and by which Men of Eminence may be encour- aged; and those of base Spirits, & embarras’d Fortunes may be discouraged to Associate with Us—And by which our Fund, which ought to be invoilably sacred towards the Relief of Indigent & Distress’d Masons, their Wives, & Children—may be preserv’d and Encreas’d.
We Your Committee think there are Further Means, whereby all these Advantages might be further enlarged, and Secured, which We heartily wish.
Thos: Moffatt
April the 7th: 5740 Thos: Walker Peter Pelham O.R. 1740, April 22, Barbados.
Charles Crawford, Esq., from Saint Michael’s Lodge
1740 239
at Barbados attended the Grand Lodge at London and paid ten guineas for charity.
P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 119.
1740, After April 22 and before March 19, 1740/41. West Indies.
The Earl of Kintore, Grand Master of England, ap- pointed Thomas Baxter, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of “Barbados and of all the Islands to the Windward of Guardaloup.”
Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 191. Entick 334. P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 120.
1740, April 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Os
The records contained in this volume are so unusually attractive that a facsimile of the record of this meeting is presented herewith as a specimen. It is the most ornate page of the book.
NERS: 1740, May 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1740, May 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1740, June 11, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B.
240 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1740, June 24, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Brother Thomas Newmarch admitted. O.R.
1740, June 24, Barbados
A badly mutilated copy (but the only one known) of the Boston Gazette of August 11, 1740, contains the be- ginning and the ending of an account of the celebration of the Festival, in part as follows:
“Barbados, June 24th, 1740.
This being the Feaft of St. John the Baptift, the Mafter and Brethren of the St. Michael’s Lodge of Free and accepted Mafons, in a grand Proceffion, went to St. Michaels Church in Bridge Town, to pay their Devo- tions, wher they heard a moft excellent Sermon fuitable to the Occafion, preached by their Reverend Brother Huxley, Recter of St. Michaels, the Service of the Day oeing perform’d by their Reverend Brother Rofe, Rec- tor of St. Thomas’s.
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After Sermon the Mafter and Brethren, with the other Gentlemen attendant on His Excellency in the Procef- fion, proceeded from Church, in the fame order as above to the Lodge Houfe, where an elegant Entertainment was prepared for them, and the Ladies the Sifters; and in the Evening, they conducted the Ladies to the Af- fembly Room, where they gave a Ball to the Sifters, and other Ladies and Gentlemen, to whom Tickets had been given for that purpofe.
The whole was conducted with great Order, and De- ceency, and gave great Satisfaction to every Body. As the like was never feen before in this Part of the World, the Town was crowded with People from all Parts of the I{land to fee the Solemnity.”
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1740 241
1740, June 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. WA... 1740, July 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1740, July 15 or 16, — Boston.
Pro. G. M. Tomlinson died in Antigua. It was sup- posed that he made a will on the 15th, but it has never been found. He was buried on the 16th.
See 1916 Mass. 241.
1740, July 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Charles, John Box, John Rowe, and Capt. John Furney made. Od Cal GRA, 5
1740, August 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1740, August 21, Boston.
The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- ing paragraph:
“We have the forrowful News from Antigua, of the Death of Mr. Robert Tomlinfon, after Five Days Ill- nefs. He was Grand Mafter of the Lodge of Free and Accepted Mafons, in this Town. A Gentleman well re- {pected, and his Death is much lamented by his Brethren and Acquaintance among us.”
P-t.
242 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1740, August 25, Boston. The Boston Gazette publishes the paragraph last quoted.
P-t. 1740, August 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1740, September 10, _ Boston. O.R.; A.B.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Samuel Water- house made. Brothers John Rickman, P. Hall, and H. Wethered admitted.
O15 Wp coed Wig by WB nd}
1740, September 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. ORS 3 A.B:
1740, October 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Wright (Right) and Patrick Tracy made. Ob Rec eri bd Sata bf
1740, October 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1740, November 12, — Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1740 243
1740, November 18, Charleston, South Carolina.
A large part of Charleston was destroyed by fire. The Fraternity there contributed two hundred and fifty dol- lars to the relief fund.
South Carolina Gazette.
1740, November 26, — Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. George Ladain (Leddain) made and accepted. bo dahil etd Low al 85
1740, December 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1740, December 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Capt. Ed- ward Oliver made. GRP Bev A.B: 1 Mass. 7.
1740, December 27, Charleston, South Carolina. The Fraternity of Charleston again celebrated the Festival in a most imposing manner.
“Saturday last being the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, the day was ushered in with firing of guns at sunrise, from several ships in the harbour, with all their colours flying. At 9 o’clock all the members of Soloman’s Lodge, belonging to the Ancient and Honour- able Society of Free and Accepted Masons, met at the house of Mr. Benjamin Smith, Master of the said Lodge;
244 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
and at 10, proceeded from thence, properly clothed, with the ensigns of their Order to the house of the Provincial Grand Master, James Graeme, Esq., where a Grand Lodge was held, and Mr. John Houghton was elected Provincial Grand Master for the ensuing year, then the following officers were chosen, viz:
Mr. George Seaman, Deputy Provincial Grand Master; Mr. Benjamin Smith, Senior Grand Warden;
Mr. James Graeme, Junior Grand Warden;
James Mitchie, Esq. Grand Treasurer;
James Wright, Esq. Grand Secretary.
At I1 o’clock both Lodges went in procession to church to attend Divine Service; and in the same order returned to the house of Mr. Charles Shepheard, where Soloman’s Lodge proceeded to the election of their officers for the ensuing year, when
Mr. Alexander Murray was chosen Master; Mr. Hugh Anderson, Senior Warden;
Mr. Samuel Prioleau, Junior Warden; Mr. John Gwin, Treasurer;
Mr. John Oyston, Secretary.
After an elegant dinner, all the brethren being invited, went on board the Lydia, Capt. Allen, and from thence on board the John and William, Capt. Fishbourne, where several loyal healths were drank under the discharge of a great many guns. ‘The above ships were on this occa- sion, decked out with a great many colours, and illu- minated at night with a great number of lights, regu- larly disposed on the yards, both of which made a very grand and agreeable appearance. In the evening the brethren adjourned to Mr. Shepheard’s again, where they concluded the day suitable to the occasion. The whole was conducted with the utmost order and decency.”
South Carolina Gazette for Jan. 1, 1740/1.
John Houghton, the new Provincial Grand Master, was a leading merchant of Charleston.
1921 South Carolina 195.
1740 245
1740, December 29, Boston.
Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Evange- list at Boston by Thomas Oxnard as Deputy Grand Master and “a great number of Brethren.” He opened a Grand Lodge and appointed his officers.
O.R. and A.B. of the First Lodge.
1740/1, January 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. UO eassAgb-
1740/1, January 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Pelham directed to have a copper plate engraved for blank summonses.
O.R.; A.B. 1740/1, January 29, London.
Provincial Grand Master Tomlinson’s will probated in London. 1916 Mass. 242. See page 172, supra.
1740/1, February 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Charity Committee ap- pointed. Edward Tothill (Tuthill) made and admitted. Olhetb 1. A-B. 1883 Mass. 165.
1740/1, February 25, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Cade and Capts. Thomas Dunster and Robert Rand made and admitted. “The other candidate not attending forfeited his praemium.”
G.R PLA B:
246 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1740/1, March 5, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Meeting of the Lodge, “‘being the Third Night of the Quarter.” Brother Jno. Nailor admitted, Jno. Tufton made. |
O.R.
The above quotation shows that records have not been preserved of every meeting for we have no such between June 24, 1740 and March 5, 1740/1. Similar hiatuses are to be found later.
1740/1, March 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.