History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 23

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124

USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, New Hampshire > Part 23

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181

MILITARY AFFAIRS.

William B. Fullerton, K, 12th N. H. V. Wolfeborough Ezra B. Tebbetts, H, 5th N. HI. V., dropped, Wolfeborough Albert W. Wiggin, B, Ist Lieut, 16th N. II. V. Wolfeborough Joseph L. Seavey, M, 4th Mass. II. A.

Orlando F. Davis, A, 12th N. H. V.

Isaac Roberts, K, 102d U. S. C. T.

Amos Vermitt, 1, 18th N. II. V.

Henry Eldridge, HI, 5th N. H. V. Wolfeborough Alonzo Gilson, E, 9th N. H. V.

Greenleaf D. Davis, K, 12th N. H. V. dead, Wolfeborouglı Daniel Libbey, HI, 2d Lieut, 5th N. II. V. Tuftonborongh

Alonzo Nutt, § C, 5th Maine, ¿ C, 10th

Wolfeborough

JASPER II. WARREN, Commander.

ROSTER OF T. L. AMBROSE POST, NO. 73, CENTREVILLE.

FURNISHED BY JOHN B. DEARBORN, ADJUTANT.

Frank K. Ifobbs, F, Sergeant, 18th N. II. Ossipee Valley

John W. Folsom, dead, Centre Ossipee

Charles HI. Larabee, K, Ist N. H. II. A. Ossipee Thomas J. Orne, K, Ist N. II. H. A.

A. A. Spear, HI, 7th Maine Vol. Centre Ossipee lliram Pray, K, Ist N. II. II. A. Ossipee

George M. Loring, K, 9th N. II. Inf. John B. Dearborn, K, Ist Maine Cavalry, =

George W. Chesley, I, 18th N. H. Inf.

Charles E. Keyes, A, 18th N. H. Inf.

John B. Conner, A, 13th N. II. Inf.

Robert G. Ross, K, Ist N. H. H. A.

Henry Eldridge, HI, 5th N. H. Inf., transferred ,, Thatcher S. Thompson, Centre Ossipee

Tobias Fernald, C, 18th N. Il. Inf.

Ossipee

Noah Shaw, H, 5th N. H. Inf. Effingham

Joseph W. Chamberlin, B, 16th N. II. Inf. Ossipee

Albert C. Abbott, A, 18th N. H. Inf.

Jolin M. Brown, C, Ist N. H. Cavalry, Ira Clongh, G, 3d N. H. Inf., suspended, Effingham

Frank W. Barker, B, 32d Maine Inf. "

George E. Goodhue, B, 16th N. H. Inf. Wakefield

James Milliken, K, Ist N. H. II. A. Ossipee

John B. Davis, F, Ist N. H. H. A., dropped, Effingham

George R. Abbott, 9th Mass. Battery, Ossipee

Asa Pray, A, 13th N. H. Inf.

Henry C. Nichols, K, Ist N. II. II. A. ",

Calvin Brown, B, 7th N. H. Inf.

James M. Monlton, Ist N. II. H. A.

Eben Eldridge, K, 9th N. H. Inf.

Nathaniel Meserve, B, Ist N. H. II. A.

Jacob C. Dore, K, 9th N. H. Inf.

Andrew J. Wentworth A, 13th N. II. Inf. Wolfboro' Junction

Joseph Glidden, 18th N. H. Inf., suspended, Effingham Centre Charles W. Thompson, A, 13th N. II. Inf., dead, Ossipee

John A. Nichols, A, 13th N. H. Inf. Ossipee W. H. II. Clongh, F, 9th Maine Inf., dropped,

E. R. Bickford, K, Ist N. H. H. A.

Samuel Moulton, K, 9th N. H. Inf. Freedom

Martin Drury, G, 61st Mass. Inf. Wolfboro' Junction Benjamin F. Peavey, G, 3d N. H. Inf. Ossipee

David Harmon, C, Maine Cavalry, Freedom

John Sanborn, A, Ist N. H. H. A. ,,

Jolın Giles, 1, 9th N. Y. Inf. Madison

Mark A. L. Colbath, A, 13th N. H. Inf. Wolfboro' Junction

Albert W. Leighton, F, 44th Mass. Inf. Ossipee

Samuel Q. Dearborn, D, ISth N. HI. Inf. Effingham Mayhew C Allard, G, Ist N. H. II. A. Freedom John Stitson, D, 18th N. H. Inf. Effingham

Joseph Knox, G, 7th N. H. Inf. Ossipee

Jacob L. De Mott, U. S. Navy,

John H. Beacham, A, 13th N. H. Inf.

Charles Eastman, F, Ist Maine Cavalry, sus- pended, Ossipee

James II. Thurston, A, 13th N. H. Inf. Eaton

Thomas Goodwin, B, Ist Mass Inf. Ossipee

Simeon W. Hatch, 18th N. II. Inf.

Stephen Bean, K, Ist N. II. H. A.

John F. Hanson, K, Ist N. H. H. A.

Levi F. Whiting, G, 12th N. II. Inf., also G, Ist N. H. H. A. Tamworth D. O. Sanborn, alias D. O. Wentworth, A, 38th Mass. Inf. Tamworth Albion Hay ford, C, 48th Mass. Inf. ,, Samnel I. Emerson, H, 12th Maine Inf. Madison Joseph C. Ferring, 1, 7th N. II. Inf.

Henry Richburg, Ossipee

Henry E. Sias, A, 13th N. II. Inf.

John Storer, F, 8th Maine Inf. ,,

George W. Sawyer, A, 13th N. H. Inf. Wakefield William II. Davis, F, 7th N. H. Inf. Tamworth

The above-mentioned post was named in honor of Thomas L. Ambrose, of Ossipee, chaplain of the Twelfth New Hampshire Regiment, who was severely wounded July 24, 1864, and died of his wounds August 19, 1864.

Chaplain Ambrose, after graduating from Bowdoin and Andover Theological Seminary, was at once ordained, in his native town, to the ministry, and as a

182

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

missionary to Persia, to which distant field of labor he proceeded within a few months, and passed nearly three years among the mountain Nestorians with gratifying success, till he was prostrated by a fever in 1861; when he reluc- tantly returned to this country by the advice of his physician. A change of climate proving favorable to his health, and being filled with a strong desire to be of service to the country, which he found disturbed by civil war, he accepted the chaplaincy of the Twelfth, tendered him by Governor Berry. He was taken prisoner with Colonel Potter at Chancellorsville, but soon after released. Having studied medicine to some extent, he volunteered during the latter part of his service to perform duties at the hospital in addition to his labors with the regiment. While walking from headquarters to the hospital one morning, he was shot by a concealed enemy and died not long after. He possessed a pleasing address, warm and earnest sympathies, and an unblemished Christian character which endeared him to every one in the regiment, so that the soldiers called him the " model chaplain," which title he richly deserved.

ROSTER OF CUSTER POST, NO. 47, CONWAY, N. H.

FURNISHED BY B. F. CLARK, ADJUTANT.

B. F. Clark, B, 15th Mass. Inf., Antietam, Conway

C. A. Broughton, E, 18th N. II. Inf.

Peter Mitchell, K, 13th N. H. Inf., Fort Harri-

son, Conway

S. A. Evans, Surgeon, 14th Maine Inf.

James Mayhew, F, 2dl N. H. Inf., Malvern Hill, Albany

George F. Redlon, K, 23d Maine Inf. Conway

Isaac M. Kallock, II, 32d Maine Inf., Peters- burg Mine Explosion, North Conway

G. W. Purrington, E, 14th N. II. Albany

George W. Philbrook, B, 23d, and 1, 29th Maine, Centre Conway

Ormond W. Merrill, E, 18th N. Il. Inf.

G. F. Boston, 9th Mass. Bat'y, North Conway

Frank Eastman, H, 27th Maine Inf. Conway

George W. Bean, E, 18th N. H. Inf., dead.

Orrin Robertson, II, 7th N. H. Inf., Fort Wag- ner and Olustee, Fla, Conway

Van. A. Pray, F, 22dl Mass. Inf. North Conway Joseph P. Pitman, E, 18th N. H. Inf. Centre Conway Charles A. Hill, E, ISth N. II. Inf. Conway Lorenzo T. Hale, E, 18th N. H. Inf. Centre Conway Charles II. Eastman, F, 2d N. II. Inf. North Conway George W. Marden, A, 5th N. II., Hatcher's

Run, North Conway

W. If. Hanson, 2d N. H. Inf.

J. II. Stinson, C, 11th Maine Inf., dead.

Ilenry Snell, 11, 4th Mass. Inf. Conway

Samuel Ward, G, Ist N. HI. Art., dead.

George W. Gray, A, 13th N. H. Inf. Madison

Moody Boyce, G, 13th N. H. Inf. Conway

Nathan Stacy, D, 6th N. H. Inf. Madison

Charles II. Williams, K, 4th N. H. Inf., dead. John McCamman, A, 19th Mass. Inf., dead.

Elisha M. Dinsmore, A, 13th N. II. Inf. Lower Bartlett

John M. Gile, F, 29th Maine Inf. North Conway Marshall C. Wentworth, 1, 6th Maine, battle of Five Forks, etc. Jackson

Ilenry A. Warren, K, 25th Maine Inf. Conway Josiah C. Flanders, A, 13th N. H. Inf. Madison Freeman O. Hodge, 5th Vt Inf. Jackson

Joseph Mead, D, 6th N. H. Inf. Centre Bartlett

Albra Garland, 1, 27th Maine Inf. Centre Conway Samuel M. Harmon, 7th N. H. Inf. Madison

Edgar E. Stevens, A, 1Ith Maine Inf., Hatcher's Run, Bartlett

Charles W. Willey, K, 2d Maine Inf.

John H. Sanders, I, 19th Maine Inf., Mine Run, Bartlett

L. E. Howard, E, 18th Maine Inf., Cold Harbor, Bartlett

Alpha W. Hall, B, 16th N. II. Inf.

J. F. Robinson, 6th Maine Bat'y

John Eastman, M, 32d Mass Inf.

Andrew T. Parker, B, 16th N. H. Inf. ,,

William S. Dimmock, 15th Maine tnf.

Anson JJ. Bishop, F, 57th Mass. Inf. North Conway

Freeman Nute, A, 13th N. H. Inf. Bartlett

James Reba, E, 9th Maine Inf. Conway

Frank W. Brown, Ist Maine Bat'y, Bartlett

William HI. French, G, 13th Maine Inf. Centre Conway William C. Davis, C, Ith Maine Inf., Deep Bottom, North Conway

Andrew P. Webber, G, 9th Maine Inf. Albany Archibald Allen, I, Ist U. S. Art. Bartlett

W. S. Abbott.

Wiley Walker, II, 23d Maine Inf. North Conway

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MILITARY AFFAIRS.

Joseph D. Hawkins, D, 6th N. II. Inf. Centre Conway

Charles K. Holmes, B, 17th U. S. Inf.

W. A. Sloane, 10th Vt Inf., Winchester, Va, Sept. 17, 1864, Conway

Edwin M. Young, Ist D. C. Cav. Bartlett

James Nute, George P. Dinsmore, H, 12th N. H. Inf.

SONS OF VETERANS.

ROSTER OF W. P. HAM CAMP, NO. 13, SANDWICHI.

(COPIED FROM DESCRIPTIVE BOOK, BY E. Q. FELLOWS.)

Dennis F. Carter, Saco, Me,

Sandwich

Frank H. Atwood,

Sandwich

Harlan B. Ham,

Byron Hines,

William E. Smith,

George Fogg,

Levi L. Magoon,

Leslie Smith,

Will O. Cook,

Will A. Atwood,

Frank M. Lowell, Kennebunk, Me,

Charles E. Mudgett,

William Heard,

James G. Leavitt, Middleton, Mass.

Samuel Leavitt, Middleton, Mass. Lewis E. Smith,

Frank W. Scriggins,

Will S. Leavitt, Middleton, Mass.

Moses P. Page.

Fred C. Gilman,

Uriah McDaniel.

George S. Gault, Salmon Falls,

Herbert L. Brown.

Parker Plummer, Farmington, Henry O. Fogg,

Demeritt Smith.

In the above list the place of residence is indicated, as shown from Descrip- tive Book, also birthplace if different from the then place of residence. The camp is at present inactive.

Joe E. Watson, of Sandwich, now of Bronson, Mich., son of Sergeant Oliver Watson, of the Third New Hampshire, is Adjutant of the Michigan Division Sons of Veterans.

ROSTER OF JOHN W. FOLSOM CAMP, NO. 32, OSSIPEE.

(JANUARY 28, 1889.)

FURNISHED BY CAPTAIN JOHN A. NICHOLS.

John A. Nichols, Captain,

Ossipee

John E. Pray, Captain of the Guard,

Ossipee

Almon F. Abbott, Ist Lieutenant,

William G. Abbott, Picket Guard,

Elmer L. Loring, 21

Lyford A. Abbott, Brother,

Charles S. Bean, Chaplain,

George A. Redlon,

George II. Abbott, Ist Sergeant,

Joshua E. Chesley, 11

Fred E. Bean, Quartermaster Sergeant,

George W. Lewis,

Emery Moody, Color Sergeant,

John W. Nichols,

Charles I. Ross, S. G.

Frank Moody,

Plumer F. Fall, P. Musician,

Noah Shaw, Effingham Madison

David Page, Corporal of the Guard,

Edward G. Emerson, "

In the foregoing pages I have endeavored to be accurate in the statement of facts, and have spent more time on one or two individual names than I thought first it would require for the whole chapter ; nevertheless there

Ed. Angier, Randolph, Mass.

184

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

are inevitable inaccuracies, arising partly from the fact that the official list in the " Adjutant-General's Report" is not absolutely correct, both in reference to names and residences. This, no doubt, is owing to several reasons, all growing out of the peculiar circumstances at the time; the haste, the excitement, the rush, and all combined, made it almost impos- sible for every residence to be given or understood distinctly, in which case it would be recorded as " Unknown," and the same might be true as to the name itself : so that, in some rare cases, by the time the name appears in the " Adjutant-General's Report," the man himself could not tell who he was, or where he lived. For instance, William W. Ballard is recorded in one place as William N. Ballard, and Edmund C. Bennett as Edward C. Bent; and there are several more similar cases of which I knew personally, and corrected; but there are some names that will appear wrong in spelling perhaps, or something else, because they appear so in the official report, or will not appear at all perhaps, for the same reason, or because the residence appears as "unknown," or is wrongly recorded. According to " Adjutant-General's Report," three men of the Fourteenth Regiment, by the name of Haggett, are recorded as from Pembroke, while in the history of the Fourteenth two appear as from Sandwich, in which case I follow the " Adjutant-General's Report," for seemingly good reasons.

President Lincoln, in his message to Congress, July 4, 1861, among other things, said : -

There are many single regiments whose members, one and another, possess full practical knowledge of all the arts, sciences, professions, and whatever else, whether useful or elegant, is known in the whole world, and there is scarcely one from which there could not be selected a president, a cabinet, a congress, and perhaps a court, abundantly competent to administer the government itself.

Having served at the front nearly two years in close connection with ten New Hampshire regiments and scores from other states, I know that those from New Hampshire were considered the equals of any (to say the least) in all respects ; and the soldiers from Carroll were as good as those from other parts of the state.

If the whole story could be written of all who went from this county only - of their acts of bravery, heroic fortitude under trials, of their many marches, campaigns, and sufferings, it would fill a volume as large as this, read like one of Scott's romantic tales, and tell the whole history of the war.

185

MILITARY AFFAIRS.

There never has been but one such war as this, and never will be another. The opposing parties were of the same language, nationality, skill, courage, and perseverance, thus causing more than twice the losses in campaigning and bat- tles, than (excepting the foolhardy and disastrous Russian campaign ) the French suffered under the great Napoleon. Of all that went from New Hampshire less than one half returned. All alike, whether they returned or not, offered their lives as a sacrifice on their country's altar. Their patriotism was manifested by their willingness to serve. Those who survived at least had the satisfaction of knowing they did their duty. Of those who died it may be written : -

On fame's eternal camping-ground, Their silent tents are spread ; And glory guards with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead.

THE "GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC" is a grand benevolent institu- tion, a natural sequel of the war of the Rebellion of an entirely pacific nature, non-partisan and non-sectarian, to whose motto, "Fraternity, Charity, Loyalty," none can reasonably object. It has been the means of binding together more closely those who participated in the stirring scenes of those eventful years. A casual observer might suppose, perhaps, that its energies were mostly devoted to the celebration of Memorial Day, when, in fact, so far as material benefit is concerned, that is but a small part of the aim of its founders. It has expended in a quiet way, from a fund raised by a small sum which each member contributes quarterly, many thousands of dollars every year for the last twenty years, in aid of needy surviving comrades, and in paying the funeral expenses of those deceased. At present it is a vast organization numbering something less than half a million, and is about at its climax. Organized in 1866, it has been in existence twenty-three years, and will continue for twenty or twenty-five years longer, when its active benevolence will cease, as there will be none to give and none to receive ; when the pleasing and mournful ceremonies of Memorial Day will be among the things of the past ; and thenceforward those who have been members of the "Grand Army of the Republic," with none living to continue the ceremony of Decoration Day for them, must be content to. let

The mountains weep in crystal rill ; The flowers in tears of balm distill; Through the loved groves let breezes sigh, And oaks, in deeper groan, reply ; And rivers teach their rushing waves To murmur dirges round their graves.

186

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVIII.

MASONIC, ODD FELLOW, MEDICAL, AND TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

MASONIC. - Morning Star Lodge, Wolfeborough - Charter Oak Lodge, Effingham - Unity Lodge, Union. - Carroll Lodge, Freedom - Red Mountain Lodge, Sandwich - Ossipee Valley Lodge, Centre Ossipee - Mount Washington Lodge, North Conway - Officers of the Grand Lodge. ODD FELLOWSHIP. - Saco Valley Lodge, North Conway - Bear Camp Lodge, Sandwich -Cold River Lodge, Tamworth - Osceola Lodge, Bartlett - Trinity Lodge, Eaton - Fidelity Lodge, Wolfeborough - Crystal Lodge, Madison - Carroll County Medical Society.

T HE lodges forming the "sixth masonic district" of New Hampshire were constituted May 17, 1876, into that body, and are Morning Star, Red Mountain, Unity, Ossipee Valley, Carroll, Charter Oak, Mt Washington, Libanus. All save the last are in Carroll county. H. A. Hayes was its first District Deputy Grand Master, and Charles A. Varney, Grand Lecturer.

The first lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons held in America met in Boston, Mass., July 30, 1733, under a commission from the Right Honorable and Most Worshipful Anthony, Lord Viscount Montague, Grand Master of England. The first lodge instituted in New Hampshire was St John's Lodge, No. 1, at Portsmouth, in 1736. The first lodge in Carroll county territory was Morning Star Lodge, No. 17, organized at Moultonborough in 1804.

Morning Star Lodge, A. F. und A. M., No. 17, Wolfeborough. - [By F. W. Prindall.] Many among the early settlers of Sandwich, Moultonborough, etc., were from Portsmouth, and towns in its vicinity, and had there been made members of the fraternity. After their removal to this new country their hearts longed for brotherhood intercourse and a masonic home that they could attend. At the request of John Anthony, Nathan Hoit, Lott Cooke, Noah Rob- inson, Job Sheldon, Jonathan Wiggins, and Charles Little, of Moultonborough, recommended by St John's Lodge, No. 1, Washington Lodge, No. 13, and Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, this warrant of dispensation was granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons in New Hampshire : -

[L. S.] By authority vested in me as Grand Master of Masons in and throughout the State of New Hampshire : Be it known, that I, Thomas Thompson, on application and proper recommendation of John Anthony, Nathan Hoit, and others, all master masons, for a new Lodge to be constituted and holden at Moultonborough, in this state, do hereby empower said Anthony and others to assemble at said Moultonborough, as a Lodge of Masons; to perfect themselves in the several duties of Masonry ; to make choice of officers; to make regulations and by-laws, and to admit candidates into the first degree of Masonry, all according to the ancient customs of Masons :

This Warrant of Dispensation to continue in full force and authority for nine months from the date hereof. Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, the 24th day of October, A.L. 5804.

Attest : L. SPAULDING, Grand Secretary.

THOMAS THOMPSON, Grand Master.

187

MASONIC AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

The first meeting at which work was done was November 20, 1804, when John Cahoon, of Lyndon, Vt, was initiated. The first annual communication was held December 18, 1804. John Anthony was chosen W. M .; Noah Robinson, S. W .; Lott Cooke, J. W .; Charles Little, Secretary ; and Jonathan Wiggins, Treasurer, pro tem. At the next meeting, January 24, 1805, it was " voted that Bro. Jonathan Anthony procure eighteen chairs for the use of the lodge exclusive of one for the East, and procure 'spermcite' candles for the use of the lodge." The hour of assembling was then one o'clock P.M. April 27, 1805: " Voted, that the R. W. M. petition the Grand Lodge for a charter, and that we be installed at Moultonborough, St John's day, in June next." At this meeting arrangements were perfected for the consecration. A glorious time was anticipated. The secretary was directed to advise the public by publishing a notice in the New Hampshire Gazette and Oracle ; Bro. Nathan Hoit was to act as marshal; Mr I. Beede was " extended an invitation to come and deliver a sermon without expense"; Bro. James O. Freeman was to prepare and deliver an oration ; Brothers James O. Freeman, Nathaniel Shannon, Jonathan Wiggins, Charles Little, and James W. Means were com- mittee on refreshments. The house for the reception of the Grand deputation of the Grand Lodge was the inn of Mr George Freese, and the place to open the Grand Lodge was at the house of Bro. Jonathan Wiggins. Brothers Sheldon and Little were to provide "musick," if they thought best. For some reasons the consecrating ceremonies were postponed until the 30th day of September, 1805. On the 30th day of May, 1805, the following was issued from the Grand Secretary's office : -

PORTSMOUTH, May 30, A.L. 5805. To John Anthony, Master, and the Members of Morning Star Lodge, No. 17, Moultonborough : -

Be it known, that, on proper application, the Grand Master has seen fit to continue your Dispensation in full force and authority for twelve months from the date thereof: that is, to the fourth day of October, A.L. 5805.

And be it known, that the Morning Star Lodge is hereby permitted to pass to the degree of a Fellow Craft the three following Brethren, namely, Asa Crosby, Nathaniel Shannon, James Otis Freeman.

By order of the Grand Master.

L. SPAULDING, Grand Secretary.

The lodge, though very enthusiastic, contained but twelve members. September 16, 1805, Brothers Sheldon and Little were instructed to procure twelve aprons for the use of the lodge.

At a special Grand Lodge, holden in the lodge-room at Moultonborough, Monday, September 30, A.L. 5805, for instituting and consecrating Morning Star Lodge, there were present R. W. Lyman Spaulding, Special Grand Master; R. W. John Harris, Deputy Grand Master ; Rev. George Richards, Past Grand Master; W. Robert Fowle, Senior Grand Warden; W. Thomas Chadbourne, Junior Grand Warden : Dr Robbins, Grand Treasurer ; Henry Hubbard, Grand Secretary ; Mr - - Noyes, Senior Grand Deputy ;

188

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Mr. Walker, Junior Grand Deputy ; William White, Grand Marshal ; William Webster, Grand Pursuivant; Messrs Hutchins, Lord, Butler, and Clark, Grand Stewards; Captain Shepard, Grand Tyler.

After opening the Grand Lodge the proceedings and records were examined, and in several instances found faulty, but the lodge is reported to "have some respectable men and intelligent masons." After the Right Worshipful Master had addressed the lodge on the impropriety and impru- dence of giving admissions invariably to applicants in a short but piquant address, they proceeded to the ceremony of consecration. Hon. Nathan Hoit was placed in the chair, and a procession formed which moved to the meeting- house accompanied by music, where the Throne of Grace was addressed by Rev. George Richards. A discourse from Rev. Robert Fowle followed, when Nathan Hoit was invested with the badge of Master, John Anthony installed S. W., James O. Freeman, J. W., Jonathan Wiggins, treasurer, Charles Little, secretary : etc. Music closed the exercises, when they repaired to the lodge- room where a repast was served.

Below we give a copy of the charter, a document highly prized by the members of this lodge for its antiquity and the excellent condition in which it has been preserved. It is written on parchment in a neat and legible hand, and is remarkable for the correctness of the spelling, and is free from the old-fashioned "s" so common in instruments of those days.

CHARTER.

To all the Fraternity to whom these Presents shall come : -

The Grand Lodge of the most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of New Hampshire sends greeting.

WHEREAS a petition has been presented to us by John Anthony, Nathan Hoit, Lott Cooke, Job Sheldon, Jonathan Wiggin, Godfrey Waldo, Noah Robinson, and Charles Little, all ancient free and accepted Masons, praying that they, with such others as shall hereafter join them, may be erected and constituted a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons - which petition appearing to us as tending to the advancement of Masonry and the good of the Craft,

Know ye therefore, that we, the Grand Lodge aforesaid, reposing special trust and confidence in the prudence and fidelity of our beloved brethren above named, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint them the said John Anthony, Nathan Hoit, Lott Cooke, Job Sheldon, Jonathan Wiggin, Godfrey Waldo, Noah Robinson, and Charles Little, a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the title and designation of Morning Star Lodge, No. 17, hereby giving and granting unto them and their successors, full power and authority to convene as masons, within the town of Moultonborough, in the County of Strafford and State aforesaid - to receive and enter Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, and raise Master Masons, upon the payment of such moderate compensations for the same as may be determined by the said lodge; also, to make choice of a Master, Wardens, and other office bearers, annually, or otherwise, as they shall see cause; to receive and collect funds for the relief of poor and distressed brethren, their widows or children, and in general to transact all matters relating to masonry, which may to them appear to be for the good of the Craft, according to the ancient nsages and customs of masons.

And we do hereby require the said constituted brethren to attend the Grand Lodge at their quarterly communications and other meetings by their master and wardens, or by proxies regularly appointed; also, to keep a fair and regular record of all their proceedings, and lay them before the Grand Lodge when required. And we do enjoin upon our brethren of the said lodge, that they be punctual in their payments of such sums as may be assessed for the support of the Grand Lodge - that they behave themselves respectfully and obediently to their superiors in office, and in allother respects conduct themselves as good masons. And we do hereby declare the precedence of the said lodge, in the Grand Lodge and elsewhere, to commence from the date hereof.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 23

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co. Number of Pages: 1124

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124