CHAPTER XV

1741 1741, March 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge.
OF. ta, oe
1741, April 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge.
O.R. 1741, April 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1741, April 22, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. The ballot on an appli- cation showed ‘“‘More Nay’s than Yea’s.” O.R.; A.B.
1741, May 7, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge.
O.R. 1741, May 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1741, May 25, Boston.
The Boston Post Boy has the following interesting
item of News from London: 247
248 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
“London, March 20. Yefterday the antient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons had their grand annual Feaft at Haberdafhers-Hall. The Conclave was very grand, (more Noblemen and Gentle- men attending than has been known for many Years) the Entertainment in the moft elegant Tafte, mang’d with the niceft Decorum, and the Evening {pent as be- came the Brothers of that Society.
Yefterday fome Mock Free-Mafons march’d thro’ Pall-Mall and the Strand, as far as Temple-bar, in Pro- ceffion; firft went Fellows on Jack-Affes, with Cows Horns in their Hands, then a Kettle-Drummer on a Jack-Afs, having two Butter-Firkins for Kettle-Drums; then followed two Carts drawn by Jack-Affes, having in them the Stewards, with feveral Badges of the Order; then came a Mourning-Coach, drawn by {fix Horfes, each of a different Colour and Size, in which were the Grand- Mai{ter and Wardens, the whole attended by a vaft Mob; they {taid without Temple-bar till the Mafons came by, and paid their Compliments to them, who re- turn’d the fame with an agreable Humour, which pof- fibly difappointed the Contriver of this Mock-Scene, whofe Misfortune is, that tho’ he has fome Wit, his sub- jects are generally fo ill-chofen, that, he lofes by it as many Friends, as other People, of more Judgment, gain.”
P-t. XVIII A.Q.C. 129, 130.
1741, May 27, Boston.
The record says, ‘“The house being all taken up and engaged on some publick affairs, there was no Lodge neds.
O.R.
(741, June 1, Norfolk, Virginia. It has been stated by several Masonic historians that
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St. John’s Lodge No. 117 was Chartered for Norfolk, Virginia, by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on this date. Dove’s History of the G. L. of Virginia. IV Gould 379. S. & H. 298.
No proof of this statement can be found and it is evi- dently incorrect. Neither the Lodge at Norfolk nor any other Lodge in America warranted from Scotland prior to St. Andrew’s Lodge in Boston (1756) is to be found in the Official List of Lodges Removed from the Roll, published with the 1904 edition of the Constitutions and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (pgs. 198-207) ; nor in the Edinburgh edition of the Pocket Companion of 1761, 1763, or 1765. Brother Dove says that on the Scottish Register it is given as No. I11, Constituted in 1741. It is found on the Scottish lists, however, only as No. 117, Instituted 1763.
Constitutions of Grand Lodge of Scotland, 1904 Ed., 199 and 1852 Ed., 86. P.C. (3rd Edinburgh Ed. 1772) 143.
1741, June 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Election.
O.R. 1741, June 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1741, June 15, Boston.
The Boston Evening Post publishes an interesting ar- ticle relative to the mock Masons in London, as follows:
250 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
March 28. By the Right Worfhipful the Grand Maf- ter, Grand Officers, Stewards and Brethren of the SCALD MISERABLE MASONS.
Ad SAN. Lorna rae Sia bee
VV eens it hath been malicioufly and impudently
infinuated that Our Proceffion of the 19th In- {tant, was intended as an unkind and ungenerous Re- flection on the Cavalcade of Our younger Brethren the Free Mafons. Let this fatisfy the Public, that We had no fuch Intention, bearing always the greateft Brotherly Love and Friendfhip towards Our feperated Brethren. But Our Reafons are.
Primo, That We are the True Original SCALD MIS- ERABLE MASONS, as We can prove by the Records of the Ancient Lodges of RAGG-FAIR, HOCKLEY in the HOLE, St. GILES’s, BRICK-STREET, and the GOOSE and GRIDIRON in St. Paul’s Church-Yard.
Secundo, That we were inconte{tibly one Body at the ZERA of the Grand Mafterfhip of Mr. A-YER now Tyler, or Porter to their Grand and feveral other of their Lodges,
Tertio, Becaufe feveral of the Gentry, without our Privity, have crept in among Us who had more Money than Wt, and more Nicety than Good Fellowfhip, and have fet up, themfelves as a diftinct Body, under the Name of FREE MASONS, in open Violation of our Ancient Con{titution.
Quarto, Becaufe We have heard it infinuated, that our difcontinuing the Annual Proceffion was urged as a proof of our Non Exiftence; or, at leaft, was a Tacit Refignation of Right of Elderfhip to our Younger- Brothers, the FREE MASONS.
Wherefore, We have at this time thought fit, accord- ing to the known Conftitutions of the above ancient Lodges, to re-affume our Proceffional Ceremony.
And that All whom it may concern may Judge of the Juf{tnefs of our Pretenfions, We have annexed a Scheme
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of our Proceffion, and their Cavalcade, and fubmit to the Public which wa’ moft becoming the Dignity and Solemnity of fo Ancient and fo Venerable a Society.
PROCESSION of the Scatp MisEraBLe Masons.
Two Sackbutts, vulgarly call’d Cow’s Horns, in Liv- eries.
An Afs, in proper Habiliments, led by two Pages, in the Lzvertes and Ribbons of the Stewards Colour; carry- ing a Pair of Butter Férkins, on which a Youth in a neat Attire beat, with a Pair of Marrow-Bones.
A dextrous one legged Man riding on an A/s, and play- ing ona Tinkling Cymbal, viz. a Salt Box.
The TYLER, in a long Robe or Vef{tment, compleatly arm’d; on his Head a Cap of Maintenance, on which was Hieroglyphically depicted the myftical Emblems of the CRAFT; in his Hand a wooden Sword, riding on a Lean, Lame, cropt Sorrel Nagg.
Three Stewards in Proper Cloathing, with Jewels and Wands, ina GUTT CART, drawn by Three Affes beautifully adorned, with Ribbons and Cockades. A Poftilion on the fir{t, which was led by two Pages.
Three more Stewards in a SAND CART, drawn as before.
GRAND GARDER, or Tyler, to the Grand Lodge, in a Huge Cap of Skins, in his Hand a Truncheon; his Shoulders from both Sides ornamented with LAY- BANDS, like a Hamlet Collonel, riding on a Fine prancing Steed, well managed 7” a Grain Cart.
RAGGED BRETHREN in proper Cloathing, walk- ing according to the Ancient Conftitutions, THREE, THREE and THREE.
The Right Worfhipful GRAND MASTER with his GRAND OFFICERS in a fuperb magnificent, fable State Coach, drawn by Spavin Splint, Swifhtail, Bobtail, One eye, and None-eye, all of various Colours, and be- decked with Azure Ribbons.
This Grand and Illuftrious Proceffion, was finifh’d by
252 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
vaft Numbers of different Infruments, which all together compofed a detectable Symphony of ROUGH MU- SICK. The «— Mark of the right worfhipful PONEY Grand Mafter P-t. XVIII A.O.C. 129, 201.
1741, June 24, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Thomas Oxnard as Deputy Grand Master held a Grand Lodge to celebrate the Festival and appointed his officers.
O.R. of the First Lodge. 1 N.E.F. 64.
Pennsylvania.
A Grand Lodge for the Province of Pennsylvania was held at the Indian King, Philadelphia, and Philip Syng was chosen Grand Master.
Pennsylvania Gazette for June 25, 1741. See 1738, June 24, supra; and 1749, July 10,
infra.
Philip Syng.
Philip Syng was born in Ireland, September 29, 1703. He sailed with his father (a goldsmith), from Bristol, England, arriving at Philadelphia, July 14, 1714, where he learned the trade of silversmith, married Elizabeth Warner in 1730, and there spent the remainder of his days. Brother Syng held the following positions and offices :
Original member of the Philadelphia Library Com-
pany 5
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Original member of American Philosophical So- ciety ;
Vestryman of Christ Church (1747-1749) ;
Promoter of the Association Battery (1748);
Warden of the Port (1753);
Treasurer of the City of Philadelphia from 1759 to 1769 ;
Trustee of the Academy from its foundation until
1773;
SILHOUETTE OF BRO. PHILIP SYNG
From Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania
Provincial Commissioner of Appeals (1765) ; Member of Franklin’s Junto; Contributor to the Pennsylvania Hospital.
He became a member of St. John’s Lodge in 1734, Junior Grand Warden in 1737, Deputy Grand Master in 1738, and Grand Master in 1741. He died in 1789, and was buried in Christ Church ground. Brother Syng was an expert artisan and made the silver inkstand (still pre- served in Independence Hall) used by the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He lived and had his shop
254 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
on the west side of Front Street, a few doors below the coffee house.
1 O.M.L.P. 43.
1741, July 9, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge.
O.R.; A.B.
The Lodge should have met on the 8th, but the house was “‘fill’d by the members of the General Court, and no possibility of a proper room to hold a lodge,” &c.
O.R.
1 N.E.F. 64.
1741, July 18, Boston. The Masters Lodge bought 2 1/4 yds. of Double Gold Lace.
A.B. 1741, July 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1741, August 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. William Maul made. OP Lee be 1741, August 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1741, September 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Hooper made and admitted. O eRe Pere vATb.
1741 255
1741, September 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. The records contain the following:
“Our R‘ Worship’ Mas" recommended to the Brethren, that it was his opinion, some perticular order should be observed in toasting the health of our R‘ W: Bro: the Hon? M* Belcher: and that a Committee might be ap- pointed as soon as possable to wait upon him, with acknowledgements from the Lodge, of his past favours, and to return our thanks &c.
Voted, that next after the G: M. the Late Govern’ of this Province, is to be toasted in the following manner, viz: To our R' W: Bro: the Hon’ M* Belcher, Late Governour of N.E. with 3
3 = 9. 3 Voted, that Our R' W: Bro: Oxnard D.G.M. Bro™ Phillips, Row, Price, Hallowell, Forbes, McDaniel and Pelham, be a Committee to form a speech, and wait upon the Hon*'® M’ Belcher in behalf of this Society, and to make report of their proceeding the next Lodge.”’ O.R.; A.B. 1 Mass. 388. | 1883 Mass. 160.
1741, September 25, Boston.
The records of the First Lodge contain the following:
“On Fryday Septem" 25. 1741, the Committee ap- pointed by this Lodge waited upon the Hon?* M” Belcher &c., and made the following Speech:
Thrice Worthy Brother.
We being a Committee by the Mother Lodge of N. England held in Boston to wait on You, take this Op- pertunity to Acknowledge the many favours You have always shewed (when in Power) to Masonry in General,
256 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
but in a More Especial manner to the Breth" of this Lodge, of which we shall ever retain a most grateful Remembrance.
As we have had your Protection when in the most Exalted Station here, so we think it is Incumbent on us to make this Acknowledgement, having no other means to testify our Gratitude but this; And to wish for Your future Health and Prosperity which is the Sincere desire of Us, and those in whose behalf We appear, and permit us to assure You we shall ever remain
Honoured Sir Your most Affectionate Breth* & Humble Servants. PETER PELHAM Sec" in behalf of the Committee.
To which, we receiv’d the following Answer: Worthy Brothers.
I take very kindly this mark of your Respect. It is now Thirty Seven years since I was admitted into the Ancient and Hon?" Society of Free and accepted Masons, to whom I have been a faithful Brother, & well-wisher to the Art of Masonry.
I shall ever maintain a strict friendship for the whole Fraternity; & always be glad when it may fall in my power to do them any Services.
J. BELCHER.” O.R. of First Lodge. I Mass. 389. 1883 Mass. 161. 1 N.E.F. 66.
Boston Gazette for September 28, 1741.
1741, October 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R.
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1741, October 13, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. “Capt. Andrew Tombes was
made a Mason and raised to a Fellow Craft.”’ O.R.
1741, October 14, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. A committee was ap- pointed to wait upon His Excellency William Shirley, the new Governor of the Province.
Whe: ALB.
1 Mass. 389. 1883 Mass. 162. 1 N.E.F. 66.
1741, October 23, Boston.
Evidently the new Governor, William Shirley, suc- ceeding Brother Belcher, was not a member of the Fra- ternity but they, nevertheless, attested their allegiance to the Government as disclosed by the following record from the minute book of the First Lodge:
“On Fryday October the 23° 1741. The Committee appointed by this Lodge, waited upon his Excellency William Shirley Esq’ and presented him with the follow- ing Address:
May it please your Excellency,
We being a Committee appointed by the Ancient and hon” Society of Free & accepted Masons of the MoTHER Lopce of America held in Boston, presume to wait upon you with the utmost Sincerity, to congratulate your Ad- vancement to the Government of this Province, and to assure your Excellency that our Desire is that your Ad- ministration may be successful and easy.
We have had hitherto the Honour of His Majesty’s Governor being one of our ancient Society, who was
258 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
ever a well-wisher & faithful Brother to the Royal Art of Masonry.
And as it has been the Custom for men in the most exalted Station to have had the Door of our Society’s Constitutions always opened to them (when desired) we think it our Duty to acquaint your Excellency with that Custom, and assure you, that we shall chearfully attend your Excellency’s Pleasure therein; and as we are con- scious that our Society are loyal and faithful Subjects to His Majesty, so we may reasonably hope for your Ex- cellency’s Favour and Protection, which is the Request of
Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servants, PETER PELHAM Secr. in behalf of the Society.
To which His Excellency was pleas’d to return the following Answer: Gentlemen.
I Return the ancient and honourable Society my Thanks for their Address, and Invitation of me to the Mother Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Amer- ica: And they may rest assur’d that their Loyalty and Fidelity to his Majesty will always recommend the So- ciety to my Favour and Protection.
W. SHIRLEY.
Voted, that the above Address to His Excellency W™ Shirley Esq’ &c. with his Excellency’s Answer, be printed in one of the Publick papers next Monday.”
O.R. of First Lodge.
1 Mass. 390.
1914 Mass. 263, e¢ cét.
Boston Gazette for November 3, 1741 (P-t). 1 N.E.F. 279.
For many years following we shall learn little from the newspapers about the membership or doings of the Lodge. This is probably due to a resolution passed this
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year by the Grand Lodge of England forbidding, under penalty, any brother to print or cause to be printed, the proceedings of any Lodge, or any part thereof, or the names of the persons present at such Lodge, except by the direction of the Grand Master or his Deputy. When this resolution was communicated to the Colonies, it must have had a strong influence. From the above publication until January 1749/50, I can find but two newspaper items in all the colonies giving local news of the craft. These two are the accounts of the celebration of the Festival of St. John the Evangelist in Charleston in 1741 and 1742, g.v. In these early days there was a woful neglect to keep records. Of those which were recorded, most have been lost or destroyed by casualty or careless- ness. Add to all this, the resolution against newspaper publication and it is not strange that our sources of in- formation are few.
1741, October 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. George Ruggles and Ed- ward Cahill made. Report of Shirley Committee. Oho be ALD: ] N.E.F. 279.
1741, November 6, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R.
1741, November 11, — Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. George Ruggles ad- mitted. O.R.; A.B.
260 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1741, November 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1883 Mass. 163. 1 N.E.F. 280.
1741, November 27, _ Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1741, December 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R.
1741, December 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1741, December 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B. 1 Mass. 7. 1 N.E.F. 280.
1741, December 27, Charleston, South Carolina. Elaborate celebration of the Festival. The account in the South Carolina Gazette for January 2, 1741/2, reads as follows:
“On Monday laft, the brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge and of Solomon’s Lodge, proceeded in
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their proper clothing from the Provincial Grand Mafter’s houfe to church, where a fermon fuited to the occafion was preached by the Rev. Brother Durant, and the brethren returned in the due order of Mafons, to Mr. Shepheard’s houfe, where an elegant entertainment was prepared for them and fome other gentlemen of diftinc- tion, invited by the Grand Mafter. The following officers were chofen for the enfuing year, Viz: Of the Provincial Grand Lodge: The Hon. John Hammerton, Efg. Provincial Grand Mafter; Mr. George Seaman, Deputy Grand Mafter; Mr. Benjamin Smith, Senior Grand Warden; James Mitchie, Efg., Junior Grand Warden; James Wright, Efg., Grand Treasurer ; Mr. Alexander Murray, Grand Secretary.
Of Solomon’s Lodge: Mr. Hugh Anderfon, Mafter; The Hon. Richard Hill, Efg., Senior Warden; Mr. John Gwynn, Junior Warden; Mr. John Oy{ton, Treafurer; | Mr. Samuel Bowman, Secretary; Mr. Samuel Rofs Mr. William Lowndes, } Stewards.
Great numbers of guns were difcharged from the fhips in the harbour during the procefion and afterwards; and the whole was conducted with the greateft order and decency, the night concluding with the illumination of the vefsels of the brethren in the harbour, and a ball to the ladies.”’
1741/2, January 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Capt. Henry Darling made and “raised Fellow Craft.” O.R.
262 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1741/2, January 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1741/2, January 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Samuel Rhodes, Benja- min Marlow, Charles Price, and Bagwell Irish made. OURS Pali Arby
1741/2, February 3, —_ Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. William Bishop made. OUR Paes Ath:
1741/2, February 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R.
1741/2, February 10, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Kelby (Kilby), Esq., made.
It was voted that a petition to the Grand Lodge of England be sent with all speed for the appointment of Thomas Oxnard as Provincial Grand Master.
O.R.; A.B.
1741/2, February 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B.
1741/2, March 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R.
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1741/2, March 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. George Diamond made. Brothers Samuel Rhodes, Benjamin Marlow, and Wil-
liam Bishop admitted. Utes. Alb.
1741/2, March 24, Boston.
Meeting of the First Lodge. Phillip O’debart (Audi- bert), John Lee, and Henry Smithson made and ad- mitted.
Gis heb 2A Db: