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 6
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"Wednesday Octobr. 10th. 1750, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, Bro. Hallowell propos'd Capt. Wm. Alexander."
"Wednesday Octor. 24th. 1750, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, ballotted for Capt. Wm. Alexander who pass'd in the affirmative Nem: Con: and upon consideration of his being a transcient person, he was introduc'd and made a Mason in due form."
"Wednesday March ye 11th: 1752, being Lodge Night, James Otis admitted a Mem. p Vote & pd. 20/"
".Wednesday Sept. 20th 17 2, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open, Voted that Bro. Doct. Allen should have a Letter of Recommenda- tion. "
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
"Wednesday March 28th 1753, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, Voted that Our Revd. Bro. Brockwell be a member of this Lodge & intitled to all the privileges of a Mem". without paying Quarter- ages."
"Wednesday Augt. 22 1753, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, Bro. Bayard propos'd Capt. Henry Richardson. By Dispensa- tion ballotted in, introduced, and made a Mason in due form."
"Wednesday Dec". 12th 1753, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, Bro. Tyler propos'd Capt. Wm. Maney."
"Wednesday Dec". 26th 1753, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, Capt. Wm. Maney was unanimously ballotted in & made a Ma- son."
"Wednesday Feby. 13th 1754, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, Bro. Stow propos'd Capt: JNº. Hall; Bro. Leverett propos'd Capt. George Briggs."
"Wednesday Feby 27th 1754, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, Capt. JNº. Hall unanimously ballotted in being a transcient per- son, introduc'd and made a Mason in due form."
"Wednesday April 24th 1754, being Lodge Night, the Lodge being open'd, the Candidate Capt. Geo. Briggs made a Mason in due form."
COMMODORE SAMUEL TUCKER who received his degrees in the First Lodge No. 1 Jan. 30, 1779, was born in Marblehead Nov. 1, 1747, being the third child of Andrew & Mary (Belcher) Tucker. He was com- missioned as commander of the Franklyn Jan. 20, 1776, and the following year was commander of the Boston, his commission being dated at Phila- delphia March 15, 1777. In this frigate he conveyed John Adams, as en- voy to France, together with his son John Quincy Adams, sailing from Nantasket Roads Feb. 17, 1778, and arriving in Bordeaux in France March 31 following. Upon his return he occupied a dwelling on Fleet Street, and in 1792 he bought a farm in Bristol, Maine, whither he re- moved and resided the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature 1814 to 1818, was elected twice to the Legis- lature of Maine, and was a delegate to the convention which framed the Constitution of Maine. December 20, 1820, the Electoral College of Maine appointed him a special messenger to carry its votes for President and Vice-President to Washington and, being recognized as one of the few naval heroes of the Revolution, he was admitted to the floor of the House of Representatives. He had received the unanimous vote of Con- gress for his valiant services. He captured 62 vessels, 600 cannon, and 3,000 prisoners of war during the Revolution. He was given a pension by
COMMODORE SAMUEL TUCKER
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THE FIRST LODGE
Congress of $600 a year. He died in Bremen, Maine, March 10, 1833. In the cemetery of the town is a slab bearing the following inscription :-
IN MEMORY OF COM. SAMUEL TUCKER, WHO DIED MARCH 10, 1833 A PATRIOT OF THE REVOLUTION.
Another brother who received his degrees in the First Lodge during the period for which its records are missing is Adino Paddock, who was made a Mason in 1761. He was a coach maker and lived in Bumstead Place. The name of Long Acre was given by him to that part of Tremont Street which is between School and Winter Streets. He imported and planted a row of English elms on the sidewalk between Park Street Church and the Granary Burying Ground gate, which grew to an immense size before they were cut down. In 1774 he was Captain of the train of artillery be- longing to the Boston regiment of which John Erving, Jr., was Colonel. He left Boston with the British troops and his estate fell into the hands of Bumstead, also a coach maker.
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THE SECOND LODGE
Very little is known of the origin of the Second Lodge in Boston except that we find in the records: "5749 Feb. 15. Our Rt. Worshl. Grand. Mas- ter, Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Wardens, Constitute (in due Form with the usual Solemnity) a Lodge to be held at the Royal Ex- change Tavern in Boston, on the Third Thursday in every month, and appointed Rt. Worshl. Mr. Henry Price first Master. This was the Sec- ond Lodge in Boston." No records of meetings appear to have been found earlier than December 21, 1761. Nevertheless its Masters and Wardens were in attendance at all the Quarterly Communications of the Grand Lodge, during the intervening years, and it appears, in the records of the Grand Lodge: "The Second Lodge removed to the Bunch of Grapes Tavern March 20th 1752."
Journal of the Proceedings of the 2ª. Lodge of Free and Accepted Ma- sons Commencing 1761. Rt. Whp1, Archd. McNeil Master
John Box jun1.
Isaac Gridley jun". -
Wardens
John Box Treas".
Theo. Browne Sec".
MEMBERS
Robert Jenkins D. G. M.
Joseph Henderson
James Forbes G. T.
Samuel Vans
Hugh MCDaniel
Henry Leddle
John Cutler
William Baut
Ezekiel Price
Samuel Blodgett
wm. Lee Perkins
Archd. MºNiel M.
Nath1. Abraham
John Box jun'. S. W.
Richard Billings
Thomas Brown
Richard Salter
James Flagg
Samuel Barrett
Philip Dumaresq
AndW. MªKenzie
John Box T.
Edmund Quincy
John Gould jun".
William Jackson
Samuel Fitch
James Jackson
John Sparhawk
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THE SECOND LODGE
Edward Church
Nath1. Hurd
Andw. Cagneau
Thomas Fleet
John Derrington
Samuel Quincy
William Tyng
William Belcher
Richard Gridley
Christopher Clark
Thomas Dawes
John Head
William Craft
John Rowe Esqr. D. G. M.
Leonard Jarvis JunT.
Joseph Miller
Samuel Swift
Stephen Parker
John Bradford
47 Members."
Thenceforward from this date the meetings were held regularly, and at first in the British Coffee House, R. W. Jeremiah Gridley, Grand Master, R. W. Henry Price, the first Grand Master and also the first Master of the Second Lodge, and other Grand Officers, usually being in attendance.
Richard Gridley, named in the above list of members, a brother of Jere- miah Gridley, became a member of the First Lodge in 1745 and its Mas- ter in 1757. He was a famous engineer and artillerist of Colonial and Revolutionary times. He planned the fortification upon Governor's Island and Castle Island in Boston Harbor, at Gloucester, the Kennebec River, and at Halifax. He was at Louisburg with Pepperell and was en- trusted by him with the plan of its reduction. It surrendered in 1745. He was engineer of the Colonial Army in 1755 and was with Gen. Winslow at Crown Point in 1756, and planned the fortifications there and on Lake George. He was with General Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham and the capture of Quebec in 1759. He laid out the defence at Bunker Hill the night before the battle and narrowly escaped capture. He constructed the fortifications upon Dorchester Heights, which caused the British forces to evacuate Boston March 17, 1776. He was commissioned Major General of the Army of the Revolution and made commander of the Ar- tillery Sept. 20, 1775. In 1781 he retired to his country home in Canton, Massachusetts, where he died June 20, 1796, aged 86 years, 5 months, and 17 days. His remains were buried upon his farm, as the town authorities thought that his being a convert to the teachings of Rev. John Murray on Universal Salvation ought to keep his remains from the town burial ground. About 30 years ago an addition to the old burial ground was laid out by the town and the remains of General Gridley were exhumed and placed in a box under a large granite monument.
He married Hannah Deming Feb. 25, 1730 and had six children.
THOMAS DAWES was born in Boston Aug. 5, 1731, and died in Bos- ton Jan. 2, 1809, aged 78 years, and was buried in a tomb in the King's
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
Chapel Ground. A large granite monument with an inscription was erected to his memory. He was a distinguished architect, a member of the legislature from 1776 for several years, and an elector at the first three elections of President of the United States.
The British Coffee House was an inn, standing on the site now num- bered 66 upon State Street, and was kept by Mr. Ballard. It was in this inn that the assault on James Otis was made by John Robinson. In 1761 the Grand Lodge Met at "Bro. Ballards at the British Coffee House." The festival of St. John the Baptist was celebrated here in 1762. The festival of St. John the Evangelist was celebrated here in 1760 and 1761. Here also were held the quarterly communications of Oct. 26, 1764, and Jan. 27, 1769; and that of Sept. 11, 1767, to make arrangements for the funeral of the "Grand Master Hon. Jeremy Gridley."
The first record of work is "At a Meeting of the 2d Lodge of Free & Ac- cepted Masons at the British Coffee House, on the 18th March 1762, Mr. Edward Church was unanimously Ballotted in to be made a Mason."
"July 21-1762, this evening being Lodge Night, first in the Quarter, some of the members met at the British Coffee House; but not a sufficient number to open the Lodge; the preceding day being Commencement at Cambridge."
"At a Meeting of the 2d Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons at the British Coffee House 18th April 1764, Visitors 3
James Thomas
Connecticut
Philip Turner
John Coates Leeds in Yorkshire."
The records of the "Special Lodge Held at the British Coffee House in Boston Decem". 23d 5766," and of "a Meeting of the Second Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at the British Coffee House 21st Jany. 1767," and of a Meeting of the Second Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons at the British Coffee House February 18 5767" and of " a Meeting of the Second Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons at the British Coffee House Boston March 18 5767," name among the brethren present "Abraham Savage M. 1st Lodge," being within the period of the missing records of the First Lodge and proof of its continued existence.
Subsequently Brother Savage became Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge and his name is recorded in both capacities among those present at the "Meetings of the Second Lodge at the British Coffee House in Boston N. E." June 17, 5767, August 19, 1767, when John Cutler of the First Lodge also was present, and Sept. 16, 1767.
"At the Second Lodge held at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern on Wednes-
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THE SECOND LODGE
day the 2ª. December 1774, Voted that a Special Lodge be called upon this night, Fortnight, to take under consideration sundry proposals made by the First Lodge which were read this Evening."
"At a Special Meeting of the Second Lodge at the Royal Exchange Tavern on Wednesday the 4th Jany. 1775, the proposals from the First Lodge in writing, being duely taken into consideration and freely debated on Article by Article, were unanimously approved of and agreed to be put into execution, when the First Lodge shall ratify the same."
"At a Second Lodgeheld at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern Boston August 9th 1772 Bro. Benj". Church begd leave to resign his office as Junior Warden of the Lodge he being soon to be appointed Master of the New Lodge Rising Sun. Accepted."
"At a Second Lodge held at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern on Wednes- day 16 Dec'. 1772 Bro. James Otis re-admitted to the Lodge."
"At the Second Lodge held at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern on Wednes- day 20th January 1773" among the members present was Joseph Webb.
At a Special Meeting of the Second Lodge at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern on Thursday the 16 February 1775
Present
Richard Salter M.
William Jackson
Job Prince
Wardens
Benja. Jackson Edward Carnes
Abraham Savage
John Cutler T.
Nath1. Patten
Thomas Brown Secy.
Thomas Knight
Archd. MCNeill John Box
James Selkrig Scarb°. Gridley."
Bro. Brown, the secretary, like many of the other members of the First and Second Lodges, was a Loyalist. At least twenty of them are named in the Act passed Sept. 1778 "to prevent the return to this state of certain persons therein named, and others, who have left this State, or either of the United States, and joined the enemies thereof." When the evacuation of Boston by the British took place he sought refuge in Hali- fax, taking with him the volumes of records on which he then was en- gaged. There is no reason to suspect Bro. Brown of any sinister motive in carrying away the records. He probably had no choice between that course and abandoning them altogether. One year after peace was con- cluded he writes to Grand Master John Rowe, as follows:
"Halifax, Oct. 18-1784.
Sir: On September I received your letter bearing date August 20, but my present business namely School-keeping, has prevented my replying
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
till this time and do now acquaint you that I have in my possession a bound book of records, a large silver seal, the Secretarys jewell, and collar, a subscription book, and a file of papers all belonging to the Grand Lodge under your jurisdiction which I brought from Boston while in the office of Grand Secretary; and do assure you that considering the antiq- uity of the Records, and the usefulness of the Seal and Jewell, to your Grand Lodge, am surprised that no earlier application has been made to me respecting them. For my own part, I view them as consequential matters, and unfit to be trusted in the hands of any indifferent man, and no other to my knowledge has appeared here from Boston, since your re- quest reached me. I am ready and willing to deliver the Articles to any person properly authorized, either by the Grand Lodge or yourself, to re- ceive them and give me a receipt for them.
Inclosed is my account with the Grand Lodge by which you will find a ballance of £3.9.10. lawful Money due me as Grand Secretary, which is strictly just and which I think the Lodge can have no reasonable objec- tion against discharging immediately, and which I, as a faithful, laborious steward in my late office, have a right to expect, and my present circum- stances urge for, and shall depend upon its being done by the person who may be authorized to call on me for the articles you request
I have also a bound book of By-Laws and a bound book of Records, the property of the Second Lodge, which I am willing to deliver with the other matters, if requested-
I am With all due Respect, Sir,
Your Most humble Servant
Tho. Brown John Rowe Esq."
In the Grand Lodge record, upon the very next page to the last entry by Bro. Brown, is the report of "A Meeting of Members of the Grand Lodge " held on the 17th February, 1787, to make arrangements for the funeral of Grand Master Rowe. The next record is of a Meeting held at the Bunch of Grapes on the 4th of August, 1787, at which a committee was appointed "to transact the prudential affairs of this Lodge " and the Treasurer was "directed to pay into their hands, the sum which may be due to Thomas Brown, late Secretary of this Lodge, and of any other ex- pences which they may be at in obtaining from him the Books, Papers, and Jewells in his hands belonging to the Lodge."
Upon the eleventh day of December, 1780, there was held a "Half Cen- tury Masonic Reminiscence at a Meeting of the Second Lodge of St. Johns held at Concert Hall."
THE THIRD LODGE
"March 7. 5749. Our Rt. Worshl. Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Wardens, constituted (with the usual solemnity in due form) a Lodge to be held at the White Horse Tavern in Boston on the First and Third Wednesdays in every month, and appointed the Rt. W. Mr. Peter Pelham first Master."
"5750 Feb. 6. The Lodge of ye White Horse remov'd to the Bunch of Grapes in King Street."
We know little more of this lodge except that the records of the Grand Lodge show the regular attendance of its Masters and Wardens for sev- eral of the ensuing years.
The White Horse Tavern was in the South End where Hayward Place now is. Its landlord in 1760-64 was Joseph North.
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THE RISING SUN LODGE
"At the Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication held at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston on Friday the 24th day of July 5772 the Grand Master communicated to the Lodge a petition from eighteen members of St. John's Lodge in Boston praying to be embodied into a distinct Lodge by the name of the Rising Sun Lodge, when, after consid- erable debate, it was agreed that the Grand Master should grant them a deputation agreeable thereto, under such changes as the Constitution re- quires; and that he would inform them to prepare themselves for that purpose by September next." The petition reads :
"To the Right Worshipful John Rowe Esqr. Grand Master of Masons for North America.
We the Subscribers duly admitted and regular members of the Lodge of St. John's in Boston, New England, humbly beg leave to intreat the indulgence of our Right Worshipful Grand Master that he would be pleased to grant a deputation under the Seal of the Grand Lodge em- bodying the brethren who have subscribed to this petition into a dis- tinct Lodge under the denomination of the Rising Sun Lodge to be con- vened the First Wednesday in every month, or oftener if the exigencies of the Lodge shall require, at the British Coffee House in King street Boston, New England.
And we beg leave further to address the Right Worshipful Grand Master entreating him that he would be pleased to appoint our Brother Benjamin Church jun. the Right Worshipful Master of the Rising Sun Lodgefor the remainder of this, and the year ensuing, with all the Powers, Priviledges, Honours, and Distinctions, with which it has been usual for you and your Right Worshipful Predecessors to invest any Brother whom they have been pleased to elevate to the Sacred Chair.
We are encouraged to hope the acquiescence of our Right Worshipful Grand Master in this request as our principal motive is to promote brotherly love and charity and to restore that harmony and good fellow- ship which is the distinguishing ornament of the Craft and to recover
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THE RISING SUN LODGE
to Masonry that estimation among mankind so generous and laudable an establishment was originally calculated to obtain and secure.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Boston New England 22ª June 1772
Benja. Church Jun™.
Nath1. Balch
John Flemming
Nath. Abraham
Jacob MCDaniel
Benja. Lorring
Geo. Spooner
Jos. Russell
Matthew Hutchins
William Gooch
Eben". Bridgham
William Charles H. Reijnsdorf
William Jones
Ben: Jackson
Sam1. Lloyd
JNº. Gray
Robt. Williams
Sam Barrett"
Their charter bears date "the 10th Day of August A.D. 1772 and of Masonry 5772.
By the Grand Masters Command
Richd. Gridley, D.G.M.
JNº. Cutler Sent. G.W.
Abr™. Savage Jun". G.W."
The Masters and Wardens thereafter attended the communications of the Grand Lodge. After nearly twenty years of separate existence the brethren desired to return to the Mother Lodge and therefore presented to the Grand Lodge the petition:
"To the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge of St. Johns in Boston, Right Worshipful Brethren.
At a Special Lodge of the Rising Sun held at Brother Colmans on Friday the 11th Inst. it was unanimously Voted, that a memorial be presented to the Grand Lodge praying that their Lodge may be incor- porated with the other Lodges of St. Johns, & that Brothers John Flem- ming, Amos Windship, Dudley Colman, Lewis Hayt, & Thomas Far- rington, be a Committee, to draw up, sign & present the same.
We therefore the Committee above named knowing, and being fully assured, that the Lodge have only in view the good of Masonry in gen- eral (in the proposed union), the promotion and enlargement of Brotherly Love and Charity, do in consequence of the power vested in us solicit the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master to summons, as soon as con- veniently may be, a Grand Lodge for the purpose of taking this our re- quest into consideration, and agreeable to true Masonic principles to
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
unite us with the Lodges of St. Johns in such manner & under such regu- lations, as they in their wisdom shall deem most proper and most con- ducive to the purposes herein mentioned
Boston This 15th day Of Novem1. 5791
John Flemming
Dudley Colman
Lewis Hayt Thos. Farrington
Committee"
"At a Grand Lodge of St. John held at Bunch of Grapes in Boston November 25, 5791, a petition was received from the Rising Sun Lodge praying to be united with St. Johns. The Grand Lodge, takeing the same into consideration, It was Voted to grant the prayer of the petition & to admit all the regular members of that Lodge to be members of St. Johns, and that the charter & jewels be deposited with our Senior Warden, John Cutler Esq".
Voted That the Secretary furnish R. Wf. John Flemming, Master of the Rising Sun Lodge, with a coppy of this vote & request him to warn the brethren of that Lodge to meet with St. John's Lodge at this place on Wednesday next preceeding the Festival of St. John at 6 oClock in even- ing, at which time the officers will be chosen for the insuing year & to transact any other business which may come regularly before the Lodge."
THE MASTERS' LODGE
REGULATIONS for a Masters' Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons to be held at the Sun Tavern, being at present the House of Bro. Andrew Halliburton, (durante placito) upon the first Tuesday in every month at six of the clock in the evening.
FIRST The Proper Officers to be Elected
A Master A Sen". & Jun' Warden
Two Stewards
A Secretary A Tyler
and to enjoy their severall offices during the space of six months
SECONDLY The Sen" Steward to be Treasurer and the Jun" Steward to keep an Acct of Expences so that the Master & Wardens shall not be interrupted in their business
3'dly. No Brother to be raised Master unlesshegoes throu the Fellow- Craft's Work to the approbation of this Lodge, and such examination to be performed the Lodge night before such candidate is to be ballotted and raised (always reserving an unanimous vote of the Lodge to the contrary). And such candidate to pay Forty Shillings into the hands of the Sen". Steward.
4thly. Each Brother who desires to become a member of this Lodge shall pay down into the hands of the Sent. Steward Twenty Shillings toward defraying the expence of the jewells & all other necessary orna- ments for this Lodge.
5thly. Every member shall pay fifteen shillings a quarter, and every visitor seven shillings & six pence for the night. And such visitor is not admitted to be cloathed in this Lodge.
6'thly. The Sen" Steward shall make a demand of the visiting money : and receive the same before the Lodge is closed.
7'thly. No brother dwelling in this Town to be admitted in this Lodge: unless he be a Member of one or more Regular Lodge or Lodges in this Town.
8'thly. Neither of the Stewards shall resign their office unless they first deliver up to the Master & Wardens of this Lodge a fair & true ac-
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
count of what cash they have receivd & paid, by the authority of their said Office, to the satisfaction of this Lodge.
And if in case of one or both of the Stewards (who are elected to serve in said Office for six months) any special cause shall arise within that time which may induce the Lodge to discharge one or both of them of that trust upon their timely representing the same and accompanying to the acceptance of the Lodge, they shall be discharged, and the Lodge to fill up said vacancy by unanimous vote.
9'thly. No Motion, Application, Memorial, or Petition, to the Chair, nor any matter regulating the proceedings of the Lodge upon offering the same to be determined immediately: but a certain day to be then sett & fix'd for ye discussion thereof at the discretion of the Members then pres- ent that received the Same.
10th. That every member shall pay his quarteridge upon the first night of the quarter, and that the Secretary give due notice thereof the Lodge night before such payment is to be made.
WE the Subscribers Being a Committee appointed to make Regula- tions for the M's Lodge Have accordingly Met this Day the 22d Decem' 5738 and do Offer the Above Regulations to the Consider- ation of the Lodge.
= Benj. Hallowell = Thomas Oxnard = John Overing"
"Tuesday the 2d January A: D: 1739, the Lodge being opened, our Right Wpfull M. ordered the reading of the foregoing regulations, which accordingly was read and after a due examination it was voted unani- mously that the said regulations be duely & strictly observed by all the Members of this Lodge. And our due return of thanks be offered to our Worthy Brethren of the Committee for their care and good attention therein.
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