USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of Saint John's Lodge of Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as shown in the records of the First Lodge, the Second Lodge, the Third Lodge, the Rising Sun Lodge, the Masters' Lodge, St. John's Lodge, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
1
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 9000
REYNOI GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Gc 974.402 B65HIS
7145773
HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE OF BOSTON
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofsaintjo1733unse
RT. WOR. HARVEY N. SHEPARD
HISTORY
OF
SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
OF BOSTON
IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AS SHOWN
IN THE RECORDS OF
THE FIRST LODGE THE SECOND LODGE
THE THIRD LODGE
THE RISING SUN LODGE
THE MASTERS' LODGE
ST. JOHN'S LODGE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE
BOSTON PRIVATELY PRINTED 1917
Allen County POUR Lesy Ft. Wayne, Indiana
COPYRIGHT, 1917 BY SAINT JOHN'S LODGE, BOSTON
SEAVER-HOWLAND PRESS BOSTON
7145773
CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
1
THE FIRST LODGE
4
THE SECOND LODGE
54
THE THIRD LODGE
59
THE RISING SUN LODGE .
60
THE MASTERS' LODGE
63
ST. JOHN'S LODGE
69
150TH ANNIVERSARY .
99
175TH ANNIVERSARY
118
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
164
MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE
175
PAST MEMBERS
199
PAST OFFICERS
234
INITIATES
245
APPENDIX
263
ILLUSTRATIONS
RT. WOR. HARVEY N. SHEPARD, Frontispiece
PAGE
FAC-SIMILE OF ORIGINAL PETITION 5
HENRY PRICE .
6
HENRY PRICE MONUMENT
8
FAC-SIMILE OF RECORD PAGE
16
JOHN ROWE 24
JAMES OTIS
28
COMMERCIAL COFFEE HOUSE
32
CONCERT HALL
40
MASONS' HALL
44
COMMODORE SAMUEL TUCKER
52
EXCHANGE COFFEE HOUSE
64
ROBERT NEWMAN
72
GENERAL JAMES MILLER
80
SHUBAEL BELL
88
JOSIAH QUINCY
96
WINSLOW LEWIS
.
104
OLD STATE HOUSE
112
FIRST MASONIC TEMPLE
120
NASSAU HALL 128
WINTHROP HOUSE
136
THORNDIKE HALL
144
SECOND MASONIC TEMPLE
152
BOYLSTON BUILDING 160
PRESENT MASONIC TEMPLE . 164
JEREMY GRIDLEY MONUMENT
172
MEMBERS OF HISTORY COMMITTEE
174
INTRODUCTION
The idea of publishing a history of St. John's Lodge had its origin in connection with the celebration of the 175th anniversary of its institution. Right Worshipful Harvey N. Shepard, Worshipful Brothers James T. Wetherald, William S. Heath, Leonard G. Roberts and John C. Hurll were appointed to act in conjunction with the Finance Committee in carrying out the project. The Committee employed Brother Henry May to search the early Masonic records and he has done this work with faith- ful zeal, and the Lodge is indebted to him for its ability now to make known its long and honorable history. The records of the Lodge itself, and of the other lodges which were its early off-shoots and subsequently again united with it, and those of the Grand Lodge, as well as the archives, have been studied with care, they being the history of Free Masonry not only in Boston and in New England, but in North America.
The Provincial Grand Lodge, known as Saint John's Grand Lodge, was organized by Henry Price July 30, 1733, but its records from January 27, 1775, to February 17, 1787, are missing.
The First Lodge, often called the Mother Lodge, was granted a charter July 30, 1733, and its records continue through July 24, 1754, and are missing to November 14, 1783. For the first half century the records of the Grand Lodge and of the First Lodge are intermingled and the transac- tions of one body are also in the records of the other. Past Grand Master William S. Gardner said that the records of the First Lodge "gave a bet- ter account of Masonry in Boston than the proceedings of the Grand Lodge." This may be due to the fact that both records for a time were the work of Peter Pelham, the first engraver in Boston, who was made a Mason in the First Lodge November 8, 1738. December 26, 1739, he was elected secretary, and the record of that meeting is entered in a new and beautiful handwriting, and the same style continues for five years. Au- gust 8, 1744, his son, Charles Pelham, was proposed by Grand Master Price as a candidate, and September 12 he was made a Mason. Septem- ber 26 the thanks of the Lodge were given to Peter Pelham for his past services, and he was paid ten pounds, and on the same day Charles Pel- ham was made secretary, and he served until July 24, 1754. His name
[1]
2
HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
appears first as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge in its record of June 24, 1751, and his service in that office, as appears from the change in hand- writing, ended with the meeting of January 20, 1752, although no suc- cessor was named until July 10, 1752. Inasmuch as his father, a member of Trinity Church, was buried December 14, 1751, this event may ac- count for the termination of his service as Grand Secretary one month later, though he continued to act as secretary of the First Lodge two years longer. The Grand Secretary in 1775 was Thomas Brown, who sought refuge in Halifax on the Evacuation of Boston by the British. troops, and took his records with him.
The records of the Second Lodge in three volumes continue from De- cember 21, 1761, through February 16, 1775, about a month before the occupation of Boston by General Gage, Thomas Brown being its secretary, and taking these records also with him to Halifax. One year after peace was concluded he wrote to Grand Master Rowe offering to return the records upon payment of the amount which he claimed to be due. Nearly three years elapsed before this proposal was accepted. Six months after the death of Grand Master Rowe provision was made for the payment, and the records of the Grand Lodge and of the Second Lodge were returned. They are as clear, distinct, and beauti- ful as they were when made or as they could now be made.
The records of the Masters' Lodge are from December 22, 1738, to Jan- uary 15, 1783, although there is a break from April, 1768, to April, 1780, its members being composed of members of the First, Second, Third, and Rising Sun Lodges. These lodges were united into one lodge, named St. John's Lodge, and the records of this united lodge from November 14, 1783, to the present time are complete and in good condition.
There is plenty of evidence that the First Lodge continued its exist- ence and was at work during the period between 1754 and 1783, subject of course to such interruptions as were caused necessarily by the Revo- lution. During the British occupation the meetings were held at irregular periods, and upon the departure of the army of occupation many of its members also left the town. Like as in the case of the people generally there was division among the members, some continuing their attach- ment to Great Britain and some throwing in their fortunes with the pa- triots. Among the latter many were absent in the army and in public service.
The records of the Grand Lodge by its Quarterly Communications show that the First, Second, Third, Rising Sun, and Masters' Lodges were working and were represented in the Grand Lodge by their Masters and Wardens through the Quarterly Communication held January 27,
3
INTRODUCTION
1775, the Masters' Lodge and the First and Second Lodges then attend- ing by their Masters and Wardens, and the Grand Lodge officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year. Diplomas are extant which were issued during the period, including the diploma of Commodore Samuel Tucker, who was made a Mason in the First Lodge, Boston, Massachu- setts, January 30, 1779. Fleet's Pocket Almanac, which was published in Boston in 1784, states that on account of the records of the "First Grand Lodge in Boston Right Worshipful John Rowe Esq., present Grand Master, being carried away by Brother Brown a particular list of the several lodges in North America, who received Deputations from, and are under its jurisdiction, cannot at present be obtained. They are in number about thirty. Those in Boston are St. John's, or Ist Lodge and 2nd Lodge now united in one."
The two volumes of records of the Masters' Lodge cover the whole period of the missing records of the First Lodge, the records of the Grand Lodge cover twenty-one years of the missing records of the First Lodge, and the records of the First Lodge cover four years of the missing records of the Grand Lodge.
It has seemed to be best that in the history of events so important as are those which appear herein the records generally should tell their own story in their own words. To have given them in full would have swollen this volume to undue proportions, and therefore extracts only are in- cluded, although very much of what is omitted is also of great interest and value.
The First Lodge was constituted as No. 126, England. It was changed to No. 110 in 1740, to No. 65 in 1755, to No. 54 in 1770, to No. 42 in 1781, and to No. 39 in 1792.
Some portions of the early records appearing here were also used by Right Worshipful Brother Shepard in his historical address at the 175th anniversary celebration. This duplication of material is allowed to stand, as its omission in either place would injure the continuity of the narrative.
THE FIRST LODGE
"Proceedings in Masonry from its First Origin in North America under our Rt. Worshl. Bror. Henry Price, Grand Master, in ye year of Masonry 5733, Anno Domini 1733.
"5733 July 30, our Rt. Worshl. Bror. Mr. Henry Price by virtue of a commission to him granted from the Rt. Honble. and Rt. Worshl. An- thony Lord Viscount Montague, Grand Master of England, in London to be Provincial Grand Master of North America, over the Ancient and Honble. Society of Free and Accepted Masons, did on this day congre- gate the Brethren and form them into a Regular Lodge to be holden at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in King Street on the second and fourth Wednesday in every month."
The Commission reads:
"Montague (Seal) G. M.
"To all and every Our Rt. Worshl. Worshipful and Loving Brethren now residing or who may hereafter reside in New England,
"The Rt. Honble. and Rt. Worshl. Anthony Lord Viscount Montague, Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England,
"Sendeth Greeting.
"Whereas application has been made unto us by our Rt. Worshl. and well Beloved Bror. Mr. Henry Price, in behalf of himself and several other Brethren now residing in New England aforesaid, Free and Accepted Masons, that we would be pleas'd to nominate and appoint a Provincial Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in N. England aforesaid.
"Now Know ye That we have Nominated, Ordained, Constituted, and appointed, and do by these Presents Nominate, Ordain, Constitute, and appoint, Our said Worshl. and Well Beloved Bror. Mr. Henry Price, Pro- vincial Grand Master of New England aforesaid and Dominions and Ter- ritories thereunto belonging, with full power and authority to nominate and appoint his Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and We do also hereby impower the said Mr. Henry Price for us and in our place and stead, to constitute the Brethren (Free and Accepted Masons) now resid- ing or who shall hereafter reside in these parts, into one or more Regular Lodge or Lodges, as he shall think fit and as often as occasion shall re- quire, he, the said Mr. Henry Price, taking special care that all and every
[4]
5
THE FIRST LODGE
member of any Lodge or Lodges so to be constituted have been or shall be Regular Masons, and that they do cause all and every the Regulations contain'd in the Printed Book of Constitutions (except so far as they have been alter'd by the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly Meetings) to be Kept and Observ'd and also such other Rules and Instructions as shall from time to time be transmitted to him by us or by Thomas Batson Esqr. our Deputy Grand Master, or the Grand Master or his Deputy for the time being, and that he the said Mr. Henry Price or his Deputy do send to us or Our Deputy Grand Master and to the Grand Master of England or his Deputy for the time being annually an acct. in writing of the number of Lodges so constituted and the names of the several members of each par- ticular Lodge, together with such other matters & things as he or they shall think fit to communicate for the prosperity of the Craft.
"And lastly we will and require that our said Provincial Grand Master of New England do annually cause the Brethren to keep the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, and dine together on that day, and, in case any acci- dent should happen to prevent their dining together on that day, on any other day near that time as he shall judge most fit, as is done here, and that at all Quarterly Communications he do recommend a General Char- ity to be establish'd for the relief of poor Brethren in those parts.
"Given under Our Hand and Seal of Office at London, the Thirteenth Day of April 1733 and of Masonry 5733.
"By the Grand Master's Command,
"Thos. Batson D. G. M. "G. Rooke S. G. W. "J. Smythe J. G. W."
"The Brethren being regularly met at the House of Edward Lutwych at ye sign of the Bunch of Grapes in King street Boston, New England, on Monday July 30th Anno Domini 1733, anno Masonry 5733, unani- mously agreed to petition our Rt. Worshl. Mr. Henry Price, Provincial Grand Master, to constitute them into a regular lodge, and did according present him the following petition."
"Our said Rt. Worshl. Grand Master having form'd a Grand Lodge, appointing our Rt. Worshl. Bror. Andw. Belcher Esqr. his D. G. M. and our Worshl. Brethren Thos. Kennelly and John Quane G. Wardens pro tem pore, order'd his Commission or Deputation aforesaid to be read as also our Petition and granting the prayer thereof did then and there in the Most Solemn Manner, according to Ancient Rt. and Custom and the form prescrib'd in our Printed Book of Constitutions, constitute us into a Regular Lodge in manner and form, upon which we immediately pro-
6
HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
ceeded (by our said Rt. Worshl. Grand Masters Order) to chuse a Master & unanimously chose our Worshl. Bro. Henry Hope Esqr. Master of this our new constituted Lodge, who there nominated and appointed our Worshl. Brethren Mr. Fredk. Hamilton, Mr. Jas. Gordon his Wardens, to which all the Brethren unanimously concurr'd paying the usual respects to our said Worshl. new chosen Master and Wardens and presenting them to our Right Worshipful Grand Master who caus'd them to be duely examin'd and being found well qualified approv'd and confirm'd them in their several stations by investing them with the implements of their office giving each his particular charge and admonishing the Breth- ren of the Lodge to due obedience and submission according to our Printed Book of Constitutions, Charges and Regulations, etc."
In addition to the names signed to the Petition there appear also these names upon the list of members at the first meeting: Moses Slattery, Thomas Phillips, Robert Macklean, William Wesson, Robert Kenton, John Overing Esqr., Samuel Curwen, Anthony Davis, Alexander Gordon, John Smith, Peter Prescott, Benjamin Pemberton Esqr., Hugh Scott, John Lisle, Richard Pateshall, Robert Gardiner, Thomas Moffatt, Docr. Phy, Charles Gordon, Capt. James Forbes, Robert Thomlinson, Alexan- der Traun, John Osborne, Capt. Robert Boyd, Benjamin Hallowell, Fran Johonnot, Luke Vardy, Hugh McDaniel, Charles Bladwell Esqr., Col. John Morris, Capn. John Frazier, Capn. Peter Tonkin, Capn. Richard Parks, Shaw Mackintosh esqr., Benj. Barons, Capt. William Hinton, Thomas Oxnard, Capt. Thomas McKnight, Capt. Webber Goston, Capt. Robert Smith, Robert Oliver, Capn. John Huggett, James Farrell, Giles Vandellure, Capn. Edward Clark of New York, Albert Denie, Alex- ander French, and Thomas Pearson.
Henry Price was born in London about the year 1697 and removed to Boston about the year 1723. He revisited London and returned in 1733, probably bringing his commission with him. It has been a matter of inter- est and research to learn in what lodgehereceived the degrees in Masonry and of what lodge in London he was a member. The answer to the former query cannot be given, but upon the minute book of the Grand Lodge of England for the year 1730 the names of the sixty-three members of Lodge No. 75, Rainbow Coffee House, York Buildings, are given and the fifty- third name in that list is that of Henry Price.
He carried on his business as a tailor for some time at the sign of the Brazen Head on Cornhill, opposite what is now Williams Court. In 1736 he formed a partnership with Francis Beteilhe, who was the shopkeeper while Price carried on the tailoring department. This copartnership con- tinued until 1740. In 1741 he assumed sole control of the business and
Henry Price
7
THE FIRST LODGE
carried it on for some time at the corner of Pond and Newbury Streets. In 1740 he purchased for £1,000 a lot of land with buildings thereon sit- uated "at the town end of the Broad Street, wherein the Exchange or Town House stands, leading down to the Governor's Dock." This estate was on King Street, now State Street, and on the northerly side. At the time he purchased there was a wooden building upon it. In the spring of 1744 he commenced a brick building, which was completed during the summer, and upon his application the selectmen gave him permission to erect a sign post in King Street opposite his store. He lived here with his family, occupying the upper part as his home, till 1750, when he retired.
In 1741 he bought the Hartshorn Farm, so called, in Townsend, and other real estate in that town. In 1746 he bought a piece of land "with the edifices & buildings thereon situated, at a place called Menotomy Fields in Cambridge;" and for a time made it his summer residence. It was in that part of Cambridge which afterwards was called West Cam- bridge, now the town of Arlington, upon the great highway to Lexington and Concord. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge held April 12, 1751 Bro. Price made an offer of the use of his house at Menotomy for the celebra- tion of St. John the Baptist's day, but the day was celebrated elsewhere, "Brother Price's house at Menotomy being encumbered by sickness." It is probable that the sickness was that of his first wife, being about the time she died. In 1755 he took up his residence upon his estate in Cambridge, with his wife and daughter Mary, then about 17 years old. In 1759 his second wife died, and on the 8th of October, 1760, his daugh- ter Mary also, leaving his house desolate. He immediately left and again took his residence in Boston. He conveyed away the house just 32 days after his daughter died. He remained in Boston a year or two, when he removed to Townsend, where he resided the remainder of his life.
July 25, 1737, Henry Price and May Townsend were published. He was an Episcopalian and she was a rigid Puritan. Their marriage took place in the fall of 1737, and in October, 1738, a daughter Mary was born. April 29, 1752, Henry Price and Mary Tilder, both of Boston, were pub- lished, and on the 25th of May following they were married by Rev. Wil- liam Hooper in Trinity Church, were he owned half a pew. "September ye 17th 1771, were lawfully Married, Henry Price Esq., with Lydia Ran- dall, both of Townsend, by the Rev. Samuel Dix of Townsend." She was a young widow with a minor son, John-Abbot. Two children were born to him by this third marriage, Mary and Rebecca. His daughter Mary in April, 1787, married William Watkins of Pepperell, and descendants of that name now reside there. Rebecca was married April 21, 1788, to George Farrar of Townsend. The widow, Mrs. Lydia Price, married her
8
HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
third husband, Lieut. Levi Whitney of Shrewsbury, Nov. 13, 1780. Whitney removed to Townsend and lived for many years on the Henry Price homestead.
In 1733 Gov. Belcher appointed Henry Price cornet with the rank of major. In 1750 he became a member of the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society instituted in 1724; next to the Scots Charitable Society, organ- ized in 1657, the oldest Charitable Society in New England. He repre- sented Townsend in the Provincial Legislature in 1764 and 1765.
At a meeting of the Grand Lodge held Friday Oct. 20,1767, it was voted unanimously that the Grand Secretary be directed to write R. W. Henry Price Esq., Past Grand Master of Masons, requesting him to resume the chair as Grand Master. At the Quarterly Meeting of the Grand Lodge held Oct. 23, 1767, Bro. Henry Price again took the chair as Grand Mas- ter. The last meeting of the Grand Lodge attended by Past Grand Mas- ter Price was Jan. 28, 1774.
About the 14th of May, 1780, while using an axe in splitting rails, it glanced, and struck him in the abdomen, inflicting a severe and fatal wound. His last will was prepared immediately and executed on the 15th. He died on the 20th of May, 1780, aged 83 years. He owned real estate in Boston, Hull, Cambridge, Woburn, Concord, Sherborn, and Townsend, in Massachusetts, and also in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Con- necticut, of great extent and value; and in the inventory of his effects appear a red jacket, red breeches, housing and holsters, a pair of horse pistols, spurs, sword & belt, and a silver hilted sword. The portrait of Henry Price, represented in the full reign of manhood, dressed in the style of about the year 1740 with a wig and queue, white neck cloth, and single breasted and cut away coat, was destroyed by the Winthrop House fire.
The old burying ground in Townsend is about a mile from the centre of the town on high land, surrounded by a forest of evergreens, and on the northerly side of the county road. The grave was some eight rods from the gate with a slate headstone about three feet square, with a round top. In 1888 Grand Master Henry Endicott and Grand Secretary Sereno D. Nickerson went to Townsend and had the remains of Henry Price taken from the grave in which it had rested for more than 100 years and re- moved to a lot in the new burying ground, which the town had provided, and re-buried, and a monument was erected by the Grand Lodge upon the lot.
ANDREW BELCHER was born November 17, 1706, the first child of Jonathan Belcher and Mary (Partridge) Belcher. He graduated from Harvard College in 1724. He was Register of Probate for Suffolk County
HENRY PRICE
FOUNDER OF
DULY CONSTITUTED MASONRY
IN AMERICA
HENRY PRICE MONUMENT
-
9
THE FIRST LODGE
1739-1754, and a member of the Governor's Council 1765-7. He resided at Milton, where he died January 24, 1771, leaving a large property.
His father, JONATHAN BELCHER, son of Hon. Andrew Belcher, a member of the Governor's Council, was born in Cambridge January 8, 1681, and was Governor of the Province at the time Freemasonry was established in Boston.
He graduated at Harvard College in 1699, and immediately went abroad and was absent six years. While in England he was made a Mason. Re- turning home he engaged in business as a merchant. He was a member of the Governor's Council 1722-7. In 1728 he went again to London on pub- lic affairs. He arrived here in August, 1730, with the Royal Commission as Governor and entered immediately upon his duties. He held the office eleven years and was succeeded by William Shirley May 16, 1741. At a Grand Lodge held in the Devil Tavern, Temple Bar, Sept. 26, 1744, the Earl of Strathmore Grand Master presiding, Bro. Belcher was present and a guinea was paid to the charity fund on behalf of the Royal Exchange Lodge of Boston. A letter was read from the Royal Exchange Lodge, Boston, New England, informing the Brethren of Mr. Belcher's many favors to the Craft in that part of the World; whereat the Grand Lodge expresses the highest satisfaction at their sense of the many obligations the Craft in general owed to Bro. Belcher and ordered that his health be drunk with thanks, which was done with ceremony. He was commis- sioned Governor of New Jersey in 1747 and held the office until his death Aug. 31, 1757. His son Jonathan, an able lawyer, became Chief Justice of Nova Scotia and later its Lieutenant Governor.
The Boston Evening Post of Monday, June 28th, 1736, contains the following account of the celebration of St. John's Day: "Thursday last being the Festival of St. John the Baptist the annual Meeting of the Free and Accepted Masons, they accordingly met at the Royal Exchange, King Street, Boston, The Grand Master nominated and appointed Messieurs James Ceike and Benjamin Barons his Grand Wardens and the Lodge chose Mr. Robert Tomlinson Master, and Messieurs Hugh McDaniel and John Osborn Wardens for the year ensuing and after which they had an elegant entertainment for his Excellency the Governor, Mr. Commissary Price, and several gentlemen of distinction, being present." April 20, 1737, a Commission to Tomlinson, dated December 7th, 1736, arrived in Boston, granted by the Earl of Londown, Grand Master of Eng- land, and he was installed into office as Grand Master by his predecessor Henry Price. In 1738 Tomlinson went to England by the way of An- tigua "where finding some old Boston Masons he went to work and made the Governor and sundry other gentlemen of distinction Masons whereby
10
HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
from our Lodge sprang Masonry in the West Indies." Upon his arrival in London, where he had a brother, John Tomlinson, agent of the New Hampshire Province, he attended the Grand Lodge and was present at a Communication held in the Devil Tavern on Wednesday, Jan. 31st, 1739. In 1739 he returned to Boston, and December 27, 1739, appointed Thomas Oxnard his Deputy. From this date the records give no more in relation to him until March 6th, 1741, when he is referred to as having deceased. The Boston Evening Post, the New England Weekly Journal, and the Boston Weekly Post Boy, in several issues, published in September, Oc- tober, and November, 1740, contain the following advertisement :-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.