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 2
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"Whereas Robert Tomlinson, late of Boston, Merchant at the Island of Antigua, on the 15th of July last made his Will touching his estate in the West Indies and thereby directed the executor of that Will (after payment of his debts and funeral expenses and other disbursements) to transmit the remainder of his estate to Mr. Benjamin Hallowell of Boston to be deposed of as his Will there (in Boston) directs; and the said Robert soon after died; but his Will last mentioned has not yet been found; These therefore are earnestly to desire such persons (if any such there be) as hath in his possession that Will, by the said Testator declared to be in Boston to carry the same to the Hon. the Judge of Probate of Wills, for the County of Suffolk, or to the Register's Office, or to give me notice thereof that so the Will of the deceased Gentleman may be lawfully proved and afterwards fulfilled.
Benjamin Hallowell."
Letters of Administration upon the estate of Tomlinson were granted to Benjamin Hallowell, November 17th, 1740; but the will was not discovered.
BENJAMIN HALLOWELL was born in Boston January 20, 1699, of Benjamin and Mary Stocker Hallowell. May 20, 1722, he married Re- becca Briggs, by whom he had one son, Benjamin, born February 2, 1725, who was his Majesty's Collector of Customs in Boston, and who married Mary Boylston June 13, 1746, and was father of Sir Benjamin Hallowell, distinguished for his public services and friendship with Lord Nelson. Bro. Hallowell resided in Batterymarch Street, near his shipyard, and died there January 30, 1773. He was a lieutenant in the Boston Militia. He was Master of the First Lodge 1738-9 and was Deputy Grand Master 1753-4-5.
THOMAS OXNARD came to Boston from Durham in England. March 10, 1737, he married Sarah Osborne. His house was upon Tremont Street, some distance back, the lot upon which it stood extending from Winter Street to the next street running parallel with it on the north. He
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THE FIRST LODGE
was Worshipful Master of the First Lodge in 1737, and he held the office of Grand Master eleven years. This notice of his appointment is copied from a Boston newspaper of that period: "The Right Worshipful Thomas Oxnard having received a deputation dated London Sept. 23d, 1743, from the Rt. Hon. and Most Worshipful John, Lord Ward, Baron of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, grand master of Masons in Eng- land, appointing him provincial Grand Master of Masons in the place of the Right Worshipful Grand Master Tomlinson deceased; which being communicated March, 6, 1744, he was properly acknowledged, invested, installed and congratulated." During the period from July, 1740, when Bro. Tomlinson died, and March, 1744, when Bro. Oxnard received his commission, Bro. Price acted as Provincial Grand Master. In the sum- mer of 1751 Bro. Oxnard went to England and was absent about two years. He died June 26, 1754, and was buried in a tomb under the old Trinity Church.
"Boston July 1st, 1754.
On Tuesday last departed this Life, after a lingering Sickness, in the Fifty First year of his age, The Right Worshipfull Thomas Oxnard Esqr. Grand Master of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Ac- cepted Masons in North America. A Gentleman whose loss is not only deplored by the Fraternity over which for Eleven Years he presided, but by all those who had enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was an experienced merchant, an upright dealer, an affectionate husband, a tender parent, a sincere friend, a kind master. He was free from Bigotry and Enthusiasm, and his Religion on the duties of which he constantly attended, was truly catholick. The news of his approaching death was received by him with Composure and Resignation, he set his house in order, and in expectation of a better life, he bore the last agonies of this with a most Christian fortitude. Reader wouldst thou shine in these ami- able virtues, imitate him.
"His corpse was attended to the grave last Friday by a numerous train of relations, of Free and Accepted Masons, dressed in black, and cloathed with white aprons and gloves walked before in a procession of two, with the Grand Masters jewell, usually worn by him pendant from the ribbon, on a tassel'd black velvet cushion carried next to the corpse. Immediately before the cushion walked the Deputy Grand Master with the Grand Wardens; the Past Grand Officers, the other officers of the Grand Lodge, the Masters, Wardens, and Officers of the other Lodges in Town in their order, all the Masters and Wardens with their jewells pen- dant upon black ribbon, after the Interment the fraternity walked before the Relations and returned with them to the Mansion House of the de-
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ceased, where they took their leave, The whole attendance was conducted thro' a vast number of spectators, with great order and decency."
"Boston April 3d 5770 last Thursday Morning departed this transi- tory life (we hope for a better) the Right Worshipful Capt. Hugh McDaniel past Deputy Grand Master of Masons for North America, he joined this Rt. Worshipful Society in the Year 1736 and from the respect the Fraternity bore him he was promoted to be Deputy Grand Master in June 1737; He was at all times a zealous Brother, and shewed himself such in his readiness to relieve the distress'd of what denomination so- ever; in the latter part of his life his circumstances were greatly reduced, owing to misfortunes in trade, levity to debtors, and as far as he could keeping open his wonted bountiful hand to all who asked his assistance.
"His Funeral was attended by the Grand Officers, Officers & Brethren of the Lodges in Boston who walked in Funeral Procession before the Body according to the Custom of Masons, he was respectfully followed by a number of respectable people, of the Town, and was interr'd in the burial ground of the Kings Chapel last Evening the 2d Instant after which the brethren return'd to Bror. Cutlers to deposite the Cloathing and Jewels." He was Worshipful Master of the First Lodge 1739-40.
BY-LAWS
The following By-Laws were agreed upon by "the Brethren of the first constituted Lodge in Boston New England at their meeting" October 24, 1733:
1st. NO PERSON shall be made a Mason unless all the Brethren members Present are Unanimous, and if but one member be against him he shall be rejected.
II ly NO BROTHER shall be admitted a Member of this Lodge, un- less all the Members Present are unanimous as aforesaid, and upon his or their admission shall pay twenty shillings, as also their Quarteridge, agreeable to a former vote (so many Lodge nights as is past of that Quarter to be first discounted), and shall consent to the By-Laws and Regulations of this Lodge, by subscribing their names to the same.
III ly NO BROTHER OR BROTHERS shall set any victuals in the Lodge Room while the Lodge is open, without the leave of the Master or Wardens, nor call for Liquor or Tobacco without leave as aforesaid.
IIII ly ANY PERSON OR PERSONS being balloted in may be made on a private night by dispensation from the Master or Wardens-Pro- vided the Expense of that Lodge be not taken out of the Money that is
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THE FIRST LODGE
paid for such Making, but every Brother present at such private making shall pay his Clubb or share of the Expense.
V ly NO BROTHER that lives within or about this Town (that is not a member of this Lodge) shall be admitted as a Visitor, before he has Signified his desire of being a member and paying his Quarteridge, or else make it appear that he is actually a member of a Regular Lodge; Unless by a Dispensation of the Master and Wardens.
VI. EVERY VISITOR shall pay three shillings towards the Reckon- ing each night.
VII. NO BROTHER shall propose any Person to be made without first asking leave of the Master and Wardens.
VIII thly EVERY MEMBER of this Lodge shall pay eighteen shil- lings per Quarter for the Expense of the Lodge, and every member that does not pay his Quarteridge on the first Lodge night of the Quarter, or on the second at farthest (if Present) shall be Excluded from being a member, and all privilidge of the Lodge.
IX thly EVERY MEMBER shall pay at least two shillings more per Quarter, to be applied as Charity towards the Relief of Poor Brethren.
X thly ANY MEMBER that proposes a Candidate, if voted or Bal- loted in, the member that proposed his friend, shall immediately deposit fourty shillings in the hands of the Cashier, which shall be Allow'd as part of the Making, provided the Candidate attends at the time he is proposed to be made - but if the candidate does not attend as aforesaid, being duly warned, the said Fourty shillings shall be forfeited, and spent and not allowed as part of that making.
XI thly THE TREASURER or Cashier of this Lodge, upon his quit- ting his office, or when another is chosen in his room, shall render a just and true Account to the Master and Wardens of the Lodge for the time being of all the Money Received, Expended and Remaining in his hands, with the Lodge book and Accounts, which he is to deliver up to the Mas- ter and Wardens in order and fairly stated.
XII thly THE MASTER AND WARDENS of this Lodge shall take care that the Expence of a Lodge night (when there is no making) shall not Exceed three shillings per Member or Brother present, the Cashier has liberty to pay and no more."
November 14, 1733, the Lodge adopted two additional By-Laws:
"XIII thly THE MASTER of this Lodge, or in his absence, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, or Wardens, when there is a pri-
-
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
vate Lodge ordered to be held for a making, shall be obliged to give all the Members timely notice of the time and place in writing where such Lodge is held that they may give their attendance, and every member being duly warned as aforesaid, and neglecting to attend on such Private mak- ing, shall not be clothed.
XIV thly NO MEMBER that is absent from the Lodge of a Lodge night when there is a Making, shall have the Benefit of being cloathed for that time.
This first American code of Masonic By-Laws is so brief it might have been rehearsed at each meeting without wearying the brethren. The arti- cles are so explicit that there is no room for doubt or uncertainty; "every member that does not pay his Quarteridge on the first Lodge night of the Quarter, or on the second at farthest (if Present), shall be Excluded from being a member." They deny Masonic privileges to those drones in our hive who are too lazy, too indifferent, or too stingy, to perform any Ma- sonic duties, and therefore remain unaffiliated. They forbid the propos- ing of a Candidate without leave first obtained of the Master and War- dens. They provide that "No Brothers shall set any victuals in the Lodge Room while the Lodge is open, without leave of the Master or Wardens, nor call for Liquor or Tobacco without leave as aforesaid."
Experience soon led our brethren to strengthen these By-Laws. On the twelfth of the following March they
"Voted That the 8th Article of Our By Laws (referring to the payment of Quarteridge) be strictly observed;" and "That no person shall be a member of this Lodge, that has not on a Lodge night been publickly bal- lotted in accordg. to Our Constitutions and Consents to our by Laws, and pays the Lodge for his making, unless by a Dispensation from the Master & Wardens of the Lodge." A year later they
"Voted That any member of this Lodge that goes abroad or beyond seas shall still continue a Member & be entitled to all the privileges of the Lodge, if he constantly attends when here in Boston and pay his quarteridge or clubb as the other members doe;" and "That no members shall offer to pass his word for a Brother for his quarteridge, or clubb, but shall pay money down." June 23, 1736, they
"Voted That all new made Brothers shall signify upon the same night of their making or the next Lodge night following whether they will be members or not and if they desire to be members then they shall be ad- mitted in without a vote paying twenty shillings entrance for their quarteridge;" and also they
"Voted That Every foreign brother admitted a member of this lodge
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THE FIRST LODGE
shall pay two shillings & six pence to the Tyler;" and "That our present Secretary be excused & free from all charge and expenses of this Lodge." February 9, 1737, they "Voted That if at any time hereafter any foreign Brother should come to the Lodge and after due examination found to be but an Enter'd Apprentice heshall be desired to withdraw in proper time; unless he desires to be made a Fellow Craft which shall be granted, by paying four shillings for such admittance."
"Wednesday April 9th 1740 The Lodge being open'd; the Council appointed last Lodge Night to prepare a Remonstrance to lay before the Rt. W. Mast. and Brethren of this Society were Introduced in due form; and order'd to Present the same; Bro. T. Moffatt one of the Sd. Commee. was desir'd to Read it, in the Audience of the Rt. WI. Masr. & Brethren; And after due Attention
Voted, Nemeni Con; that the Sd. Remonstrance be Ingross'd in the Book, and to pass into Law, that for the Future the Premium, to be paid by Candidates at their Initiation, to be Ten Pounds,
Voted, that the Sd. Commee. be Respectfully Thanked for their Care and trouble in drawing up Sd. Remonstrance; Which was perform'd by the Rt. W. Masr. & Brethren in due form.
Voted, that the Sd. Commee. be continued, and that our W. Brothers Oxnard and Waghorne be added to them, in order to prepare a Remonstre. (as soon as possible) for the Benefit of the Bank Stock &c. of this Society."
"To the Rt. W. Master and W. Wardens, and the rest of the Members of this Lodge, We whose names are hereunto annex'd being a Committee appointed by this Lodge to consider, whether it be Expedient that a greater Premium than that now stipulated by a Quandum Vote of this Society, be required from Candidates before Admission into our Lodge.
"We, after due Deliberation upon the present Circumstances of this Lodge, and Treasury thereof, do think it is now, not only Proper, but ab- solutely Necessary for preserving the Honour and Dignity of Masonry in General, and advancing the Interest of this Lodge in particular; That the sum paid by Novices before Initiation be Augmented, and that the said Augmentation when concurr'd to, & agreed on, may presently have the Sanction of a Law henceforward.
"We, your Said Committee are persuaded, that most of the Reasons which prevailed for their 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 De- cree. 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 Necessity
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
and good Policy, whereby the Society might be Encreased to a proper Number.
"We, your Committee, are convinced that if the sum paid by Candi- dates, was fixed at Ten Pounds, it would not prevent any man of merit from making Application: on the Contrary would Invite, and induce Them, inasmuch as it would discourage those of mean Spirits, and nar- row, or Incumber'd Fortunes from Solliciting to Enter with Us; both which are Inconveniences which We cannot carefully enough avoid, 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 Admission, there has little or no part of the Money (after defrayingincumbent Expences) being applyed, towards the encreasing of Our Publick Bank-Stock-Nay! that at Times, there has been Occasion Voluntarily to Contribute for dis- charging the Deficiency, 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, & the Noble Ends, & Purposes, for which it was destin'd, & appropriated are frus- trated, and rendered abortive
"Wherefore, We, your Committee, move for Concurrence with us in Opinion, whereby the General & Particular Interest, & Honour of Our Society may be advanced; and by which Men of Eminence may be en- couraged, and those of base Spirits, & Embaras'd Fortune May be dis- couraged to associate with us. And by which our Fund, which ought to be inviolably 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 "Thos. Walker
"April the 7th 5740."
"Peter Pelham
Bro. Deblois is Stephen Deblois who became a member in 1737. In September, 1754, the building, afterwards known as Concert Hall, was conveyed by Gilbert and Lewis Deblois to Stephen Deblois for 2,000 pounds. In 1769 Stephen Deblois sold Concert Hall to William Turner for 1,000 pounds sterling. The building afterwards was sold to the Amory family which owned it when it was taken down.
"Wednesday Septem": 28th 1743," the Lodge voted "that a Book be prepar'd in order for Recording the Names of all Masons initiated, and
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THE FIRST LODGE
members admitted into this Lodge, since the first Constitution of Masonry in Boston N. E.," and "to take out of the Journal all of the By-Laws and form them into a system," and the following January it paid forty shillings "for binding a Book for the Laws, and List of the Memrs." Four years later, April 27th 1748, Brothers McDaniel, Brockwell, Price, Rowe, and Box, were appointed a Committee to alter the By-Laws, and "Wednesday June ye 8th 1748" the Committee brought in their Report and it was voted that the By-Laws according to the "Report be enter'd in the Book and accepted for our Regula- tions." Two years later, March 28, 1750, the By-Laws were revised to "make them agreeable to the currency now establish'd." In less than a year they again were revised. "Wednesday Jany the 23d 1751, Being Lodge Night, The Lodge being open'd, Voted That the Brors. Ld. Col- vil, Oxnard, McDaniel, Brockwell, & Rowe be a Committee to make what additions they shall think necessary to our present By Laws."
"Wednesday April 10th 1754, Being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, The Grand Secretary communicated to the Lodge the Vote pass'd by the Grand Lodge at the last Quarterly Communication Viz, That no brother under thirty years of age shall be appointed Master of any Regular Lodge."
Lord Colvill not only endeared himself to the Brethren of the Fra- ternity, but also to the townspeople generally, and we find upon the records of the town that Lord Colvill "of His Majesty's Ship Success, has upon all occasions during his station here for about three years past displayed the utmost readiness to do everything in his power for pro- moting the interest of the Province, and of the Town, in particular, and by his conduct and good services has given great satisfaction to the Town; and the Freeholders and Inhabitants taking the same into con- sideration proposed and thereupon unanimously Voted that the Thanks of the Town be, and are hereby given to his Lordship for his aforesaid services and good conduct during his station here, and the Gentlemen, the Selectmen, are desired to wait upon his Lordship, and in the name of the Town present him with their thanks accordingly."
On Friday, the 22d of May, 1752, the Selectmen reported that they had waited upon Lord Colvill and presented him with a copy of the vote of thanks, to which his Lordship gave the following answer in writing:
"Gentlemen. I am extremely sensible of the Honour done me by the Metropolis of America, and had I known six months ago, how well the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of this great Town were affected towards me, I would have applied to the Lords Commissioners of the Ad- miralty to be continued on this station; But as 'tis too late, I can only
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
say, that whenever the American Stations are to be relieved I shall think myself happy if I can return to a country which has already given me such marks of esteem and regard.
"Boston, May 18, 1752. Colvill."
"Voted that his Lordships answer be entered upon the Records of the Town."
CHOICE OF OFFICERS
The Worshipful Master, the Secretary, and the Treasurer, were elected to office, but the Wardens, contrary to our custom, were appointed by the master. This so appears in the record of the first meeting, and "Wednesday the 13th of June 1739 the Lodge being opened the Brethren proceeded in the choice of new officers for the half year en- suing and accordingly Bro' Hugh MCDonnel was Balloted in MT: of the Lodge. Then was nominated and chosen Bro': Thos. Walker Treas" and our Rt: W:pfull M': nominated & appointed Bro": JNº: Hutchinson S.W. Bro': JNº: Waghorne J.W." The first record of the choice of Secretary and Tyler is "Wednesday June 11th, 1740, Being Lodge Night the following Brethren Mett The Rt: Worshipful Bro: Thomas Oxnard D:G.M. Bro: Waghorne S:W. Bro. Surray J:W. Bro: Walker T. Bro: Pelham S. Bro: James Tabbe Tylar & his Salary as Tylar for the future to be 5/."
Peter Pelham kept a writing and arithmetic school in 1749 and was one of the earliest teachers of dancing in Boston, his school being in the house of Philip Damaresque in Summer Street. He also was the earliest of Boston engravers and in 1727 engraved a portrait of Cotton Mather.
"Wednesday Sepr. 26th 1744, the Lodge being open'd, it was Voted that our late Secr. Bro. P. Pelham be paid Ten Pounds with the Thanks of the Society for his past services which was accordingly paid by the Treasr. 10. Voted that Bro. Charles Pelham be Secretary in the room of our late Secr. who has laid it down."
Brother Pelham appears to have been in the tobacco business " Wednesday Dec' 26th 1750 being Lodge night, Voted that Bro. Stone (the Landlord) do supply this Lodge with Bro. Pelham's tobacco, which shall have the Mason's Arms on it."
"5744. Dec. 26. Our Rt. Worsl. Bro. Thos. Kilby Esqr. was chosen Master of the Lodge." Bro. Kilby was Commissary of the king's stores in Louisburg, and died there August 23, 1746.
"5745. Decr. 24. Our Rt. Worshl. Bro. Box appointed Master of the Lodge." John Box, a ropemaker, was warden of King's Chapel and one of the Vestry. He also was one of the promoters in building the present stone church. He died of consumption Oct. 21, 1774, aged 75
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THE FIRST LODGE
years. "The Ancient and Hon. Society of Free Masons conducted his body to the burial place " which was tomb No. 14 under King's Chapel. "Wednesday June 12th 1754 Being Lodge Night Voted that our Rt. Worshl: Bro. Jeremy Gridley Esq": be continued Master of the Lodge the ensuing six months, who appointed Bro. Ezek : Price S.W. and Bro. wm Stowe J.W."
Jeremiah Gridley was born March 10, 1701, son of Richard and Re- becca. He married Abigail Lewis, daughter of Hon. Ezekiel Lewis. He graduated from Harvard College in 1725, then studied theology and occasionally preached, and later studied law and was admitted to the bar, where he won a distinguished position, and was called by his asso- ciates, "Father of the Boston Bar." He started a weekly paper called the "Rehearsal," the first number of which made its appearance on Sept. 27, 1731. He was Moderator of the town of Brookline, 1759, 1760, and 1761, nine meetings, Representative to the General Court for 1755, 1756, and 1757, and Attorney General in 1767. He died Sept. 10, 1767, his brother Richard Gridley being appointed administrator of his estate. His remains were placed in the tomb of his father-in-law, the Lewis tomb No. 9 Granary Burying Ground on the South side.
He was admitted to the First Lodge in 1748 and was elected Worship- ful Master in 1754. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge held August 21st, 1755, he informed Grand Master Price that he had received a Deputa- tion appointing him Grand Master of North America, and delivered the Deputation to Bro. Price, who ordered the Secretary to read it, and re- cord it in the Grand Lodge Book. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1755, he was installed into office by Brother Price in Concert Hall after which a long concourse of Brethren marched in procession to Trinity Church where the Rev. Mr. Hooper read prayers and the Rev. Mr. Brown preached a sermon. Grand Master Gridley and Past Grand Master Price, in regalia, walked together and closed the procession.
In 1756 the Earl of Londown was appointed Commander-in-chief of the Army throughout the British Continental Provinces in America, and Governor of the Province of Virginia. He sailed from England in May and arrived in New York; on the 9th of January, 1857, he came to Boston to meet a Congress of Governors and other Commissioners. On Monday the 24th he dined with the Governor and a large number of both Houses in Concert Hall. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge held Jan. 31, 1757, "The Rt. W. G. M. informed the Lodge that the occasion of the meeting was to make Capt. Harry Chartens, Capt. George McAdams, aide-de-camp, Dr. Richard Huek,and Mr. John Appy, Secre- tary to the Earl of Londown, with Mr. John Melville, Masons (who
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