i ^ I CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM THE INCOME OF A BEQUEST MADE BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 ** ~ ^r j.'"t' ^ y'lfT- j S j^ HS521 .J68™" ""'"""^ '■"'"'^ ^™?i!J?.W.!?ty.„J.n....AmMca prior to 1750; I oUn,anx^ ^^24 030 283 208 Date Due : PR 1 2-4^ ^-^ 1 1 )>< i A s j ^ J IWIrtrti III WTfWf jtflrlll II Jtr* Tfr _™^ 23 233 ■Ulllllli illlililllllli ^ ^ 6 ^ FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA PRIOR TO 1750 BEING AN ADDRESS BY MOST WORSHIPFUL MELVIN MAYNARD JOHNSON Grand Master TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS SEPTEMBER 13, 1916 l/Ki.fV(£Rr-(TY "^^ -^-^ z^ J6S Copyright BY The Grand Lodge of Masons IN Massachusetts 1917 Permission is granted to copy or quote from the within, proper credit being given. Permission to pubUsh in full or substantially in full is granted only to The National Masonic Research Society, of Anamosa, Iowa, U. S. A. Frederick W. Hamilton, Grand Secretary. Cambridge : Caustic-Claflin Company 32 Brattle Street FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA PRIOR TO 1750 ABBREVIATIONS A.B. Anderson. B.MS. Entick. Gould. L.B. L.H.B. L.M.R. Mackey. 1 Mass. Mass. M.F.M. N.E.F. O.L. O.M.L.P. O.K. P.C. Phichard. P.L. Preston. Pro. G.M. P-t. Q.C.A. S.&H. Account Book (of the Lodge to which reference is being made). Anderson's Constitutions. Beteilhe Manuscript. Entick's Constitutions. Gould's (larger) History of Freemasonry. Edition of John C. Yorston & Co., 1889. " Libre B." Lane's Handy Book to the Lists of Lodges. Lane's Masonic Records, 1717-1894, 2nd Ed. Mackey's History of Freemasonry. (Masonic History Co., 1898.) Printed Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 1733-1792 (containing the Proceedings of the Provincial Grand Lodges at Boston). Printed Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for year given. Moore's Freemason's Magazine. Nickerson's New England Freemason. Official Engraved Lists of the Lodges, published by authority of the Grand Lodge of England. Sachse's Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania. Original Records (of the body of which reference is being made). The Pocket Companion and History of Freemasonry by J. Scott. Prichard's Tubal-Kain (Dublin, 1760?). The Charles " Pelham List " of the Brethren made and accepted in the First Lodge in Boston, and of those raised and accepted in the Masters' Lodge, written in 1751. ( Original in archives of Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.) William Preston's Illustrations of Masonry. Provincial Grand Master. Photo-stat on file in archives of Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Quatuor Coronatorum Antigrapha. Stillson & Hughan's History of Freemasonry. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030283208 HENRY..PRICE FOUNDER OF Duly Constituted Masonry in America FOREWOEB. Duly-constituted ' ' Lbdges of Freemasons, as we use the words, never existed prior to June 24, 1717. The unnum- bered and mostly unknown Lodges theretofore were but voluntary and indefinite assemblages of those Freemasons who casually or for business reasons found themselves in a given neighborhood. To this rule there were exceptions becoming more numerous toward the close of the seven- teenth century, but it may be said as a generality that there was no such thing as Lodge "membership." All were Freemasons "at large." With certain definite excep- tions, no Lodge was a continuing body or had officers with terms which overran each closing or kept records. They were but occasional bodies having no persevering entity. They were, however, "regular." The reincarnation or transmutation commonly known as the "Eevival of 1717" changed all this. It provided not only Grand Lodge organization and administrative machin- ery but included definite provisions fpr Lodge continuity. It established for all future time the fundamental test of regularity and due constitution, as existence under explicit authority lawfully granted by a Grand Master — In a world which had not harnessed the energies of steam or electricity or gas for the transportation of persons or freight or intelligence, some years passed before these rules of regularity were thoroughly known, much less accepted, by all the Masons familiar with the old haphazard customs. But finally the whole Fraternity wheresoever dispersed recognized and conformed. The Regulations governing regularity (formally adopted June 24, 1721,) comparatively soon obtained full sway and have ever since been univer- sally recognized by the Craft. No "diily-coiistituted" Lodge of Symbolic Masonry exists or has ever existed since then — except only the four which together organized the Grand Lodge of 1717 and Mother Kilwinning and her child- ren — ^without warrant and/or constitution by act of a Grand Master or of his Deputy. See 1700, infra. The early Lodges and Provincial Grand Lodges were careless about the keeping of records. Even the Mother Grand Lodge itself has no formal record book for more than six years after its organization. And the premier Provin- cial Grand Lodge of the "Western Hemisphere, organized in Boston, Massachusetts, July 30, 1733, has no formal and continuous records written in a book at the time of the recorded events, until 1750. This has led some argumentative Brethren to assert that there is naught but tradition of duly constituted Masonry in America prior to 1750. And it has led me to attempt a chronological compilation of all the real known facts of Masonry in America prior to the middle of the eighteenth century with references to the original evidence, most of which I have personally examined. Now and then are also included, for convenience of the student, references to cer- tain things which even some of our best historians and their readers have swallowed with much consequent ptomaine poisoning. No pretension is made that this is complete. It does con- tain, however, everything for which the investigations of the writer have disclosed credible and authentic evidence. It is hoped that others may be stimulated to publish all possible facts of the period for which they can and do cite authority worthy of and available for examination and test as to historical accuracy. AUTHORITIES. The principal sources of information are : 1. The official engraved lists published by authority of the Grand Lodge of England. 2. The various editions of the Constitutions. 3. Original record and account books. 4. Manuscripts of the period. 5. Preston's Illustrations of Masc^ary, the 1st edition of which was issued in 1772. 6. The various editions of the Pocket Companion, contain- ing a history of the Fraternity (and in some ed- itions a list of the Lodges) written by J. Scott in 1754. 7. Newspapers of the period. 8. Other manuscripts and publications by those who lived during the period in question, whether written then or shortly thereafter. 1. Official Lists of Lodges. Valuable sources of information concerning the early Lodges are the official engraved lists which since 1723 have been published at least annually by authority of the Grand Lodge of England. Just before 1730 the Lodges were given numbers in these lists, usually in accordance with seniority. When a Provincial Lodge was not reported promptly, as often happened, it was given a position later than that to which it was entitled but corresponding with the date of its report; and then when a vacancy occurred by the erasure of a Lodge somewhere near the position in which it be- longed, the transfer would be made (e.g., the First Lodge at Savannah, Georgia. See 1735, after October 30, infra). The early official lists were engraved with artistic represen- tations of the signs of the taverns, etc., in which the Lodges met. "With all of their errors — and they had many — ^these lists are invaluable to the Masonic student, and in many cases are the sole source of information. Printed lists were now and then issued, but they were not official and have less probative value. Brothers Hughan and Lane have made exhaustive studies of these lists, the ultimate being reached in Lane's List of the Lodges, 1717- 1894 (2d Edition) to which frequent reference is hereafter made. Of the old official engraved lists, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts owns originals of 1735, 1736, 1737 (1st and 2nd Editions), 1738, and 1761; and facsimiles of 1725 (1st and 2nd Editions) , 1734, and 1735. Of the printed lists, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts owns a large number, some of which were apparently unknown to Lane. 2. The Constitutions. The first printed edition of the Constitutions and Regu- lations was compiled by Anderson and published by him under authority of the Grand Lodge at London in 1723. A similar, but improved edition was issued in 1738. Many editions thereof have since appeared. The first American printing was by Benjamin Franklin, in Philadelphia, in 1734. All contain a history of the Craft. But little weight can be given to the history, as there recorded, prior to the eighteenth century, it being largely an adaptation of the old manuscript Constitutions. A considerable number of these manuscripts still exist written during the years as far back even as the fourteenth century, but they are a curious blending of fact and fiction such as usually results when facts are handed down through hundreds of years by tra- dition. But the substantial accuracy of the events from and after 1717, recorded in the printed Constitutions, may be relied upon for they were recorded by participants in the events themselves or by their associates who had first-hand sources of information. 3. Records and Account Books. None of the Masonic bodies of the early eighteenth cen- tury began to keep its records in a minute book contem- poraneously with the events recorded until several years after its organization. a. The Grand Lodge at London, for instance, was or- ganized in 1717, but its first contemporaneous record book begins June 24, 1723. b. The Brethren who met in Philadelphia had an account book known as "Libre B" beginning with June 24, 1731, q.v., which came to light about a generation ago. c. The First Lodge in Boston, constituted July 30, 1733, began its records at some unknown period. Its earliest record book now known begins with copies of Price's Com- mission, of the By-Laws of the Lodge, and of Tomlinson's Commission, followed by the record of December 27, 1738, being the "VI" meeting of the quarter. Ebenezer Swan, was the Secretary. It closes with the record of July 24, 1754. Reversed, the volume contains the account book of the Lodge beginning December 27, 1738, the first entry being " To a Ball'=« brought from a former Book 34 : 8 : 5. " Thomas Oxnard was then Treasurer. This account runs to February 26, 1755. 1 N.E.F. 57 and 279. 1900 Mass. 125. d. The existing records of the Masters' Lodge in Boston begin with its constitution, December 22, 1738, Francis Beteilhe, Secretary. This book closes with the meeting of November 6, 1761. Reversed, the volume discloses the account book down to December 21, 1753. A loose sheet is inserted with a rough account from December 1, 1758 to December, 1760. e. The known records of Saint John's Lodge of Ports- mouth, N.H., begin October 31, 1739, Jonathan Loggin, Secretary. f. The known records of Tun Tavern Lodge, Philadel- phia, begin June 28, 1749. g. The contemporaneous records of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Boston begin April 13, 1750, Peter Pelham, Grand Secretary, exactly seventeen years after the date of Price's Deputation. Pelham, following the custom of the period, opened his record book with such detail as was then in his possession of previous happenings. See 1 Mass. 1-10. 10 He had his own part in a few of these events but, what is more to the point, he had available information thereof from Henry Price and the other Brethren who were partici- pants therein and who were his intimate friends and con- stant associates, as well as from manuscripts now lost. When Francis Beteilhe was elected Clerk of the Vestry of Christ Church, Boston, he had done exactly the same thing, viz.: begun his record book with a brief statement of the preceding history of the Church. Brother Jacob Norton once fathered a petition to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which asked a revision of the ritual by the elimination of all reference to the Holy Saints John. The Grand Lodge denied his petition where- upon he withdrew from his Massachusetts membership and subsequently made bitter attacks upon the Masonic history of that jurisdiction. 1851 Mass. 7, 33-43. 1906 Mass. 84. R."W. Joseph Rollins, a Masonic student and Chairman of the Committee on Correspondence of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, accepted Norton's conclusions and reargued the case for him. Then certain Pennsylvania partisans re- stated Norton's animadversions and gave them wide cir- culation. Then Brother Hughan and some other historians, assuming the correctness of Norton's statements of fact and following his arguments, based some of their statements and conclusions upon his. IV Gould, 330. 11 Entirely apart from the evidence then in hand, certain old newspaper articles, official lists, and manuscripts have been discovered since Norton's day which utterly and be- yond all cavil or argument prove the falsity of his pre- mises and of his reasoning. Unfortunately, now and then, writers have adopted Norton's views quoting as authorities those who also followed his lead. Our leading ilasonic his- tories were A^Titten before Norton's arguments were un- answerably shown to be wrong. JIasonie students and his- torians are requested, therefore, not to adopt without per- sonal investigation, any conchisions by even our best and most revered historians except they are based upon a knowl- edge of the whole facts including the recently discovered evidence, all of which are referred to in the text or citations which follow. 4. Manuscripts of the Period. a. The original petition for the constitution of the First Lodge in Boston is still preserved in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. See 1733, July 30, infra. Facsimile, 1871 Mass. 296. Investigations to date have failed to disclose any older similar document in the world. b. The original petition for the constitution of the First Lodge in New Hampshire is upon the same files : See 1735/6, February 5,Anfra. Facsimile, 1871 Mass. 306. c. The Beteilhe Manuscript. 12 The Beteilhe Manuscript, so called, of twenty-six pages, is entitled almost to the dignity of a contemporaneous of- ficial record. It is in the handwriting of Francis Beteilhe, bound with an original of the Constitutions as printed by Franklin in 1734, was purchased some years ago for $375 (1899 Mass. 72, et seq., 1906 Mass. 93, et seq.) and is now in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (1916 Mass. ). The handwriting is abundantly attested by comparison with known specimens of his handwriting in the possession of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and re- ferred to in later citations, and also with the record of the Vestry of Christ Church, Boston, of which he was elected Clerk on January 15, 1732/3, serving to and including its meeting for July 30, 1739. There is no clue in the Church records as to why he ceased to serve in the middle of this year except as we may judge from the handwriting itself. His last two entries seem to be written in a larger and feebler hand, certainly in a more straggling style than was his custom. It looks almost as if his style of writing or his control of his muscles was affected by an illness of some sort which might account for his giving up the office. His suc- cessor, however, does not seem to have been elected until April 10, 1740. When he became Secretary of the First Lodge in Boston and of the Grand Lodge we do not know. He was made in the First Lodge on July 24, 1734, q.v. infra. He signs as its Secretary as early as June 23, 1736, q.v. infra. He was appointed or reappointed Grand Secre- tary by Provincial Grand Master Tomlinson on June 24, 1737 (1 Mass. 470). Although not a member of the First 13 Lodge at its constitution he had abundant opportunity to learn the facts which he records not only by his intimate association with the other Brethren in the town of Boston, but also especially because he was the partner of Provincial Grand Master Henry Price from 1736 to 1741. The records of the Masters' Lodge from January 2, 1738/9, to and including August 7, 1739, are in his hand- writing. That he gave up this Secretaryship in the same year that he ceased to be Clerk of the Vestry of Christ Church, and that the records of the Masters' Lodge for some time after August 7, 1739, q.v., are not in the book give confirmatory evidence of his being afflicted by some indisposition during this year. The Manuscript starts with a copy of the petition of July 30, 1733, of the Brethren in Boston to be regularly consti- tuted as a Lodge. This covers three pages. Pages four to six inclusive contain an account of the formation of the Grand Lodge by Henry Price, the presentation of the peti- tion of the Boston Brethren, and the constitution of the First Lodge on July 30, 1733, q.v. infra. Pages seven to twelve inclusive contain the By-Laws or Regulations of the First Lodge in Boston as adopted October 24, 1733. Pages thirteen and fourteen contain a list of the officers of the Grand Lodge and of the Lodge and also of the Brethren, this list having been written between July 27 and August 23, 1737. Pages fifteen to seventeen inclusive contain votes relative to By-Laws, the first being passed by the Lodge on March 12, 1734/5, 'and the last on February 9, 1736/7. The eighteenth page is blank. Pages nineteen 14 to twenty-one inclusive contain a copy of the Deputation issued by the Earl of Loudoun, Grand Master of England to Eobert Thomlinson as Provincial Grand Master. Pages twenty-two and twenty-three contain a copy of the letter of Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge, dated February 22, 1736/7, q.v. Pages twenty-four to twenty-six inclusive contain a copy of the letter from Edinburgh, dated Janu- ary 28, 1736/7. q.v. There are twelve names on the Pelham List which do not appear in the Beteilhe Manuscript. These Brethren had probably ceased to be members of the Lodge by July 27, 1737. There is but one name, Captain Roger Wil- lington, on the Beteilhe Manuscript which is not found on the Pelham List and that name is found in the Bar- ons Letter of June 23, 1736, q.v. There are but two names on the Beteilhe list prior to the date of the Bar- ons Letter list which are not found on the latter. These slight differences, to my mind, confirm the general accu- racy of all of the lists and prove that no one of them is cop- ied from any other but that all were drawn off from some original records which are now lost. See also 1747, May 27, infra. A facsimile of pages 13 and 14 of the Beteilhe Manu- script is herewith presented. For facsimile of pages 4, 5, and 6, see 1733, July 30, infra. 15 ^uf^^T^ ■:a ^Gr6e 7/0?^ ^^f2yc/' \JCc/M: ^07^^ c^f/o^^ d. The Barons Letter. See 1736, June 23, infra. e. The Pelham List. See abbreviations, supra. I have personally compared the Pelham List and the original records of the First Lodge in Boston for the period when they overlap. There are two hundred and twenty- four names on the Pelham List for that period. Eight are given on the List whose names do not appear on the original records as made or accepted on the dates stated. Three names are given on the original records which do not ap- pear on the Pelham List. Of the eight I can prove in at least three instances that the List must be correct and that the Secretary in these cases omitted from the records of the Lodge some things which actually transpired. See 1747, May 27, and 1739, July 25, infra. f. Numerous other manuscripts will be referred to in the statements and citations hereinafter contained. 5. Preston's Illustrations. 6. The Pocket Companion. Both of these were written by men who copied or paraphrased Anderson. Both were supplemented in suc- ceeding editions. Both occasionally contain lists of the lodges. So far, at least, as they recite facts not recorded by Anderson their statements concerning the events of the eighteenth century have great evidential value. 18 7. Newspapers of the Period. Every newspaper published in Boston prior to March 25, 1750, so far as they are known to exist, has been read. See IX Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, containing check list of Boston Newspapers, 1740-1780. Appendix to 1915 Proceedings of American An- tiquarian Society. Extensive but not exhaustive search has been made of the papers published during the period in Charleston, S. C, Philadelphia, Penn., and New York, N. Y. No com- plete check lists of the existing copies of these papers have been found. 8. Other Manuscripts and Publications will ie referred to from time to time. CALENDAR. Much confusion has arisen over dates from January 1st to March 24th inclusive prior to 1753, because to and in- cluding the year 3,752 the first day of the new year was March 25th instead of January 1st. Consequently old style March 24, 1750, for instance, was the day before March 25, 1751; and January 1, 1750, was the day after December 31, 1750, and not the day after December 31, 1749. In many commentaries on early Masonic matters as well as upon matters of general history this distinc- tion has been overlooked, and this I find to be true even in many instances to be found in the printed Proceedings 19 of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Accuracy of dates has been attempted herein, and for clearness both old and new style have been indicated. For instance, March 24, 1750/1 means the day before March 25, 1751. At the time, that day was officially known as March 24, 1750. HISTORY 1606. Nova Scotia. Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, while making a sur- vey of Nova Scotia in 1827, discovered upon the shore of Goat Island in Annapolis Basin a flat slab of trap rock with the date 1606 and what some have thought to be the Square and Compass deeply cut though much worn by time and weather. 1914 Mass. 247 et cit. Brother R. V. Harris 's theory concerning this stone seems the most reasonable one presented, namely, that "the stone marked the grave of either a mason or stone-cutter or pos- sibly a carpenter who died November 14, 1606, and not that of a speculative Freemason." Transactions of Nova Scotia Lodge of Research for Jan. 31, 1916. Pages 29, et seq. In 1785, there was a tradition in Nova Scotia that Free- masonry had been known there while the country was in the hands of the French. See ' ' Charges and Regulations, ' ' etc., published by John Howe, Halifax, 1786. The only known copy is in the archives of Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 20 1656 or 1658. There is a tale of modern fabrication that a dilapidated document had been found which recited that certain He- brews were giveDi the "Degrees of Maconrie" in 1656 or 1658 at Newport, Rhode Island. Unless and until the document is produced and/or accounted for, no credit can be given it. 1870 Mass. 357. 1891 Mass. 32. The Builder for May, 1915, p. 111. 1697. Henry Price, Founder of Duly Constituted Masonry in the Western Hemisphere, was born this year in London. 1870 Mass. 357. 16 M.F.M. 137. Original Tombstone. 1700. American Colonies. For reasons, the statement of which is beyond our pres- ent scope, it is now accepted "that Freemasonry was in- troduced into the Colonies of North America at a very early period in the 18th century * * * . These Freemasons (emigrants) soon established Lodges in various places, which they worked without the sanction of warrants." Mackey, 1233, 1407. These occasional Lodges, meeting according to the Old Customs, were never "duly constituted" but they were, nevertheless, "regular" prior to 1721. They were neither "regular" nor "duly constituted" after June 24, 1721, unless and until lawfully warranted or chartered. On 21 Saint John the Baptist's Day, in 1721, the Grand Lodge at London adopted and promulgated the following regu- lation : "VIII. No set or nmuber of Brethren shall withdraw or sepa- rate themselves from the Lodge ia which they were made Brethren, or were afterwards admitted members, unless the Lodge becomes too numerous; nor even then, without a Dispensation from the Grand Master or his Deputy: and when they are thus separated, they must either immediately join themselves to such other Lodge as they shall like best, with the unanimous consent of that other Lodge to which they go (as above regulated) or else they must obtain the Grand Master's Warrant to join in forming a new Lodge. "If any set or nimiber of Masons shall take upon themselves to form a Lodge without the Grand Master's Warrant, the regular Lodges are not to countenance them, nor own them as fair Brethren and duly formed, nor approve of their acts and deeds; but must treat them as rebels, until they humble themselves, as the Grand Master shall in his prudence direct, and until he approve of them by his Warrant, which must be signified to the other Lodges, as the custom is when a new Lodge is to be registered in the list of Lodges." As will be seen hereafter the Brethren in Boston were the first in America to be constituted in accordance with this regulation (July 30, 1733). They thus became the first "regular and duly constituted Lodge" in the Western Hemisphere. The lodge at Montserrat was the sec- ond in 1734; the Lodge in Pennsylvania came next in 1734/5; the Brethren in Savannah, Georgia, and Charles- ton, South Carolina, came next in 1735; and the Lodge in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, followed in 1736. 1705. Boston. Brother Jonathan Belcher who had been made a Mason in England in 1704 (1 Mass. 389) returned to his post 22 dt Boston as Governor of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. He thus is the first Freemason known to be in the Western Hemisphere. We may therefore properly call him the Senior Freemason of America. 1914 Mass. 249, et cit. 1 N.B.F. 67. The Builder for May, 1915, p. 112. 1715. The John Moore letter, so called, was for a time ex- ploited as showing meetings of the Fraternity in America during this year. The letter, however, never existed, al- though some of our best historians credited the story, hav- ing supposed it to be true but not having attempted veri- fication. The Builder for May, 1915, p. 112. 1718/9, January 5, Boston. The Boston News Letter for this date, page 2, under its news for the Port of Boston chronicles: "Outward Bound, Jacob William Ship Charles and Free Mafon for Jamaica." We shall hear of this ship again. P-t. 1720. Boston. Eeverend Brother Montague of Dedham, Mass., about 1826 exhibited to R.W. Charles W. Moore, then Editor of the Masonic Mirror (Grand Pursuivant 1833; Eecording Grand Secretary, 1834 to 1867; Deputy Grand Master, 1868 ; Corresponding Grand Secretary, 1869 to 1873 ; Hon- orary Past Grand Master, December 10, 1873, Grand Lodge 23 of Massachusetts; Editor of Masonic magazines 1825 to 1873), evidence that a Lodge had met in King's Chapel, Boston, in 1720. Even without Charter or Warrant such a Lodge was entirely regular prior to June 24, 1721. Un- fortunately Brother Moore did not state where the original evidence is to be found. In the concealed pages of some forgotten tome or in some hidden wrinkled and ancient manuscript, this evidence will again be discovered by some delver into the secrets of the past. Until then we shall have to rest content with the knowledge that Brothers Montague and Moore were highly respected by their compeers and were men of unquestioned veracity. The evidence, therefore, of these meetings in King's Chapel neither rises to the grade of unquestioned proof nor falls to the level of tradition. "We have the defi- nite knowledge that men of the highest standing in the com- munity actually saw evidence which satisfied them. Cer- tain known facts lend argumentative support. Governor Belcher of Massachusetts was a Mason. Extensive study satisfies one that at least ten of those who on July 30, 1733, applied to Henry Price for the Constitution of the First Lodge were "made here." (To this extent I desire to modify views previously expressed.) In their petition they stated in so many words that some of them were "made here." Original petition in archives of G. L. of Mass. Facsimile, 1871, Mass. 297. Confirmatory facts will later appear sufficient to war- rant the conclusion that the first "regular" Lodge in the 24 Western Hemisphere met in King's Chapel, Boston, in 1720. 1914 Mass. 249 et cit. 1888 Mass. 164. 1891 Mass. 35. S. and H. 447. 1720, August 29, Boston. In these days it was customary for members of the Fra- ternity to speak of Masonic matters by indirection. For instance, if a cowan or evesdropper approached while Brethren were talking Masonry one would say, ' ' It rains. ' ' This was the cue to turn the conversation. Bearing in mind this habit, it is interesting to read in the Boston Gazette for August 29, 1720, the following account: (;/'.;t /frv-n, yiur^. r-. ;s:0 •■■ Vscavci\:,\; ■■■■{• Four Moi i l'( ln;>^ i-.v-i'inisTown we'i'- ic-.v:! in ..•I'.o.f fn t.iielll in iS !:(>[ ,«i^^Jt;i.Tn iler')r, -r iaiiie leu!! ;ii!:.ii;.i (■ v-\\i\'. ti'.v i'.-i 'tcnsptcc^ to fiioo'., / n '. '.- V o,ii.'ifi DFtrfi.; ii ;f' • iLfcily lt..M... up |ic-:(,v- the! mou'-t"''fr' i.( .3. -Z7T- ',/lf/H///? >/ /Kr/^z/tf/f. fnri-rn// mz J/fiirO/ifU/r ■>/ ■c^^ ^7 ^ if r/fnr-ia . ^/n7ttlH'//Mlli Wf/ifUn/ t/i tAftf < >/>///it/i/' > 'i.^ 4. 'f/ftirr/. '7:- i« nr/' < ff(t/>a/tr.i \A-f/tr/fiy/ff/ff/r/;f '^ti/mt'itf/t iif/tri^/Z/tMi /i/'tiir /////A ' t'/YHf'f/l /■/! 7.'W .1^ ^' if i/y/f/fTiy '734- '734 It fe For an illuminating discussion of the official listing of the First Lodge in Boston see : IV Gould, 247. Facsimiles of pages 4, 5, and 6 of the Beteilhe Manuscript are herewith presented. 47 '^/fe^^ ^ i: %€^. £ OcSfikd^J/dd^a^^ . i i/^JcjWnAji/i^ jjirejw'&*v (3 zone* ')re£,tf^3i/^f '^OfJA' ClQ Ip'b m^. '^majonr^/ (hspii CixJ: l^ Cruv ' ' ^-hn^'c-r r •_/::/Jj -^y /, j, /<^ i 'Ti I . / '^' . r/ / /' /111 / . <9^cr^ J}\\ (yyj'yi > u U \ V iry.:/u '- > u lY H^ Ui y^ociJ u^-cl^ '^fiar..<^i 'y(. b-oxxt '^-rfXJ^fp'L" Qrd. to be applied as Charity Towards the Relief of poor Brethren. Xthly Any Member that proposes a Candidate, if Voted or Bal- loted in; the member that proposed his friend, shall imedi- ately deposite fourty shillings in the hands of the Cashire, 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. Xlthly The Treasurer or Cashier of this Lodge, upon his quitting his of&ce or when another is chosen in his room, shall render a just and true Accot to the Master & Wardens of the Lodge for the time being of all the money Eeea, Expended & Re- maining in his hands with the Lodge book & Aecompts which he is to deliver up to the Master and Wardens in order & fairly stated. Xllthly The Master & Wardens of this Lodge shall take care that the Expence of a Lodge night (when there is no making) shall not Exceed three shiUings pr Member prefent for the Beconing which sum of three shiUings pr member or Bror present, the Cashire has Liberty to pay & no more. 53 Xlllthly The Master of this Lodge, or in absence, the Grand Master Deputy Grand Master or Wardens, when there is a private 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 attendee and every member being duly warned as aforesaid and neglecting to attend on such Private making shall not be clothed. (The above article Voted Nov: 14th: 1733: 5733) XlVthly 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. i "Being cloathed" refers to the very ancient custom, now almost forgotten, of requiring the candidate to furnish each member present with an apron and a pair of white gloves. 1733, November 5, Philadelphia. L. B. charges the entrance fees of Lambert Emerson, Thomas Hopkinson, and John Newingham. 1733, November 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Prescott and Benja- min Brenton made. P. L. 1733, November 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. See 1733, October 24, Xlllthly, supra. 1733, November 19, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Eobert McLean made. P. L. Philadelphia. L. B. charges the entrance fee of Christopher Eouth. 54 1733, December 3, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1733, December 13, London. At a Communication of the Grand Lodge of England steps were taken to make a generous collection "to send distressed Brethren to Georgia where they may be com- fortably provided for." It is known that poor families were sent to Georgia and that the Fraternity contributed toward their relief. X Q.C.A. 235. See 1735, after October 30, infra. 1733, December 22, Norfolk, Virginia. The learned E.W. Brother John Dove, of Virginia, con- tended that the Royal Exchange Lodge at Norfolk, Va., was established on this date. On several official lists it so appears, being first found upon the list for 1754, near its close, as No. 236. In all lists, however, it is with the 1753 Lodges, following No. 235 accredited to December 20, 1753, and preceding No. 237 accredited to February 9, 1754. It was carried on the lists until the 1813 revision becoming numbers 173, 137, 111, 112, and 102. O.L. L.M.R. 101. L.H.B. 48. It is evident that 1753 is correct, and that 1733 is an error. IV Gould, 378. 55 The information which Brother Dove had led him to suspect at one time that Blandford Lodge at Petersburg, Va., was founded about this time by the Grand Lodge of Scotland. He was misinformed. Blandford Lodge is given in the Scottish list as No. 82, whereas Saint Andrew's Lodge at Boston (1756) is No. 81. P.O. (1st Edinburgh Ed. 1761) Appendix 112. Const. G. L. of Scotland (1852 Ed.) 63. The correct date for Blandford Lodge is probably March 9, 1756. In later editions of his history Brother Dove assigned it to 1757. 1733, December 28, Boston. The Feast of Saint John the Evangelist was celebrated in Boston and James Gordon was chosen Master of the First Lodge. 1 Mass. 4. 1733/4, January 7, Philadelphia. L. B. charges the entrance fee of Richard Howell. 1733/4, January 19, Philadelphia. L. B. charges the entrance fee of John Waugh. 1733/4, February 4, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1733/4, February 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. William Walker made. P.L. 1733/4, March 4, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 56 F Si Br 1734, March 29, Boston. The Boston Gazette for April 1, 1734, contains the fol- lowing item : JrniMfiSii aifd, £iiib»rk'43 O {vf^ « c ^5- . o ff«JO ^•2 I °'^ g o e «|,<8 S a I a e o c <.|.-5 ^ u t;_ o o s iS a.5i °^ '-s a s g ss2 :;.§ '^3 8 u CQ « u '■•M Was ? .H ■a J3 >»M i^i III _ „ _ -c.a s o "S > s vr3 ft! "a S a-" c «<'3 ■•^■-2=31^ <* ttt rt 3 "^ ^ r « . S « 2 w Ti - - " £ c '^ ' t> u ■- 5 J2 ? < t. !j o < "S fe ! o c " i'l^ tJ T ; I. CI ^ *=■ ii 5 p -a ^ « I. i s *J *^ m oj Is R : w o -*" 3 ~" S - ' ° Jf ij o ? ^ 5 » 5 3 JO O li U >-,,t § " I- C O fe .B ■= • " S S "~ "a a ;5 S i « " Ji Sj'^ZJ > .- aB'7 ^ ja 2 g S "a 3 ^ -C ■■ __ 5* ^*- en '^ ^ O U > -O T3 I- , •« -J It « t- "^ »-I 2 '^ u = W - ^ *-• li = 'T' n "S <* ■■«= 60^ B ^ ^■ - e " O ^ -fi 2 • S -xj >S ^ ^ ■ - > '- 5 r T on Q ^ o— o K « .5 •= t._ .2 n - 3 <« fc ^_2;0 r^ o u u- St* "a o a Si u-u » -nH •^^g '■S! « >> ^ » e « « o o^o "'- a s 1- e;;-" m^?^ >>.^,«j 5>c« C^O Efq., Deputy Grand Matter; Mr. James Gordon and Mr. Frederick Bamilton, Grand Wardens for this Province; and Mr. Benjamm Franklmy Provincial Grand Mafter for the Province of Pennfylvania." P-t, A reproduction of the last column of page 2 and the first column of page 3 of this number of the American Weekly Mercury is herewith presented. We are now, for the first time, in possession of the date of Franklin's appointment, for which he had petitioned less than three months before. 1734, November 28, supra. And we have also from Pennsylvania's own press un- equivocal evidence of the extension of Price's authority over all North America, and Pennsylvania's recognition thereof. See also 1734, August, supra. I cannot help but wonder how the above quoted item, from a newspaper which I found in Philadelphia in the library of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, has es- caped the notice of those particular Pennsylvania partisans whose arguments we have been obliged to puncture from time to time. Their researches have been indefatigable. They have made frequent and extensive iise of quotations from newspapers both before and after the date of this one. Yet I have looked in vain for a reference to this item in the printed Proceedings or in the elaborate ofScial and quasi official publications of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, including the works of Brother Julius F. Sachse, its li- brarian. 67 One can hardly help wondering, also, if there does not still remain in the great libraries of Pennsylvania other in- formation which remains unpublished. 1734/5, March 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge which amended the 8th Article of its By-Laws by providing : ' ' That no Person Shall he a Memher of this Lodge, that has not on a Lodge Night, been publiekly ballotted in accords to Our Consti- tutions, and Consents to our by-Laws, and pays the Lodge for his Making, unlefs by a Dispensation from the Master & Wardens of the Lodge. ' ' B.MS. 15. 1735, March 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following vote was passed: ' ' That any Member of this Lodge that goes abroad, or beyond Seas, Shall Still continue a Member & be entitled to Jill the priviledges of the Lodge, if he Constantly attends when here in Boston and pay his , quarteridge or Clubb as the other Members doe That no Member fhall offer to pafs his Word for a Brother for his Quarteridge, or Clubb, but Shall pay Money down. ' ' B.MS. 15. 1735, March 28, Philadelphia. The American Weekly Mercury of Philadelphia, pub- lishes the item quoted under 1734/5, February 21, supra. 1735, April 17, London — South America. In the Grand Lodge of England a motion was agreed to for Eandolph Took, Esq'" to be Provincial Grand Master for South America. X Q.C.A. 254. 68 This vote was inadvertent or the scrivener was in error for since the institution of the office of Provincial Grand Master (1727) the appointment thereto has always been a prerogative of the Grand Master. Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 306. 1914 Mass. 255. The Deputation was issued by Lord "Weymouth. Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. 1735, After April 17, Charles Town, South Carolina. The first Lodge at ' ' Charles Town, ' ' South Carolina, ap- pears for the first time upon the Official English Lists in that for 1760, as No. 251. Later it took the place vacated by Bristol Lodge as No. 74. The Lists accredit the Lodge to 1735, and it was Warranted under Lord Weymouth, in- stalled G.M. April 17, 1735. P.C. (3rd Eng. Ed. 1764) 382. Hammertoh's deputation as Pro. G.M. for South Carolina did not issue until after April 15, 1736 (q.v.), and he ap- pears as the Master of the Lodge when it met "for the first time" on October 28, 1736, (q.v.). There accordingly is some ground for the arguments, which have been heard, that this Lodge was constituted by Hammerton under his com- mission and not by Lord Weymouth direct, or that authority for the 1735 Lodge came from Boston. See 1735, Dec. 27, infra. See also a discriminating and careful study of the situation in the first chapter of Mackey's History of Freemasonry in South Carolina. 69 I thought I had definitely established the date of the Constitution of this Lodge when I found it given ia the 6th Edition of Jachin and Boaz (London 1765) as November 12, 1735. No reliance can be placed upon that month and day, however. Bristol Lodge, Gloucestershire, Constituted November 12, 1735, was No. 74 in the 1755 listing. It was erased in 1757, but the date of Constitution was retained in the lists agaiast the number, although no Lodge was given. This is the case in the Official List for 1761 (origiaal in ar- chives of Grand Lodge of Massachusetts) , where "Solomon's Lodge in Charles Town, South Carolina," meeting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, is given as No. 251, with 1735 as the date of Constitution. It is inserted between Lodges Constituted in 1756 and 1759, thus indicating about when the information officially reached the Grand Officers. Later Solomon's Lodge was put in No. 74, vacated by Bristol Lodge. This brought it with the 1735 Lodges, where it should be, but the date of the Constitution of Bristol Lodge was left. Thus the date (other than the year) clearly does not belong to the South Carolina Lodge. Furthermore, its placement ahead of the Lodge at Savannah does not indicate priority of Constitution, but merely the convenience of the engraver.* 1735, June 2, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. *Bro. W. J. Songhurst, the learned secretary of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, says, "Early printed lists were mostly unofficial. So also were some of the engraved lists. And even with the official lists the engravers frequently rubbed out the particulars of a Lodge and engraved particulars of a new one under the old date." 70 1735, June 12, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes the following, refer- ring to the English Grand Lodge meeting of March 31, 1735 (X Q.C.A. 247), among items of London news, viz: "On Monday Night was held a Quarterly Communication of the most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, at the Devil Tavern, Temple Bar; most of the Grand OfScers and upwards of Three Hundreds Masters and Wardens of Lodges, prop- erly cloathed were present; particularly the Eight Hon. the Earl of Crawford, Grand Master ; Sir Cecil Wray, Bart. Deputy Grand Master ; Sir Edward Mancell, Bart, and John Ward, Esq.; Grand Wardens. His Grace, the Duke of Richmond, his Grace the Duke of Buceleugh, the Eight Hon. the Lord Balcarras, Dr. Desaguliers, and several other Persons of the first quality and Distinction. A handsome Sum was disposed of towards the Belief of several poor Brethren. They unani- mously chose the Eight Hon. the Lord Viscount Weymouth, Grand Master, for the Year ensuing; Sir Cecil Wray, Bart, and Sir Edward Mancell, Bart., Grand Wardens; After which a most elegant Oration in Praise of Masonry, was pronounced by Bowman, Esq. which received the universal Approbation of that Antient and Honourable Fraternity. ' ' 1735, June 24, Boston. Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Baptist. About this time the First Lodge moved from Edward Lutwyche's Bunch of Grapes T.avern to Luke Vardy's Royal Exchange Tavern. 1 Mass. 4. Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 3, 1735, gives an ac- count of a Grand Lodge held at the Indian King Tavern, Philadelphia, on this day at which James Hamilton was chosen Grand Master as Franklin's successor. 71 1735, June 30, Boston. The Weekly Rehearsal contains the following item: "London, April 18. Yefterday- about two o 'Clock in the After- noon, the Proceffion of the Antient and Honourable Society of Free ajid Accepted Mafons paffed from Grofvenor fquare to Mercers-HaU, where a grand Dinner was provided for them. The Proceffion be- gan in the following Manner, viz. one Kettle-Drum; four Trumpets, two and two, two French Horns; with two Hautboys; and two Baffoons, all on white Horfes, with Leather Aprons and white Gloves. "After thefe, fix Coaches, with the twelve Stewards with their white Wands, f oUow 'd by an infinite Number of Gentlemen 's Coaches, the Officers of each Lodge being diftingnifhed by the proper Badges of their Office pendent to red Ribbons, or Squares, Levels, Plumets, &c. fome Silver, others Gold, the Grand Mafter and Grand Wardens clofing the Proceffion." P-t. 1735, July 14, Boston. The Boston Post Boy copies from the Pennsylvania Ga- zette its account of the Grand Lodge meeting in Philadel- phia, June 24, 1735, q.v. P-t. . 1735, October 2, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1735, October 9, Philadelphia. The Pensylvania Gazette has a notice of a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. 1735, After October 30, Savannah, Georgia. Webb's Monitor in its first edition holds the following statement: "The Grand Lodge of Georgia is holden by- virtue and in pursuance of the right of succession legally derived from the most noble and most worshipful Thomas 72 Thynne, Lord Viscount Weymouth, Grand Master of Eng- land, A.D. 1730, by his warrant directed to the right wor- shipful Eoger Lacey," etc. The statement, of course, was entirely in error and Webb made a correction in subsequent editions. Weymouth was not Grand Master in 1730 and the warrant issued by him to Mr. Eoger Lacey, merchant, for constituting a Lodge at Savannah, Georgia, was issued some time during that part of 1735 when Weymouth was Grand Master; viz. — after April 17. Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. P.O. (2nd Eng. Ed. 1759) 380. As fixing the date with a trifle more accuracy, I find that in the Official English List for 1737 ' ' Savannah in ye Prov- ince of Georgia" is given as No. 139. No. 138 is reported as Constituted October 30, 1735. No. 140 was Constituted March 1, 1735/6. It is evident, therefore, that the date for the Constitution of this Lodge must be after October 30, 1735, and before March 1, 1735/6. The Lodge at Savannah first appears on the Official List for 1736 as No. 139 and is the second Lodge in America en- rolled on the Official English Lists; although in the later English Lists the Lodge at Charleston, South Carolina, took one number 's precedence over the Lodge at Savannah, Geor- gia. That this does not, in this case, indicate earlier Con- stitution, see "1735, after April 17," supra. For further evidence that 1735 is the correct date, see also Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 185. L.M.R. 70. L. H. B. 31. 73 The Grand Lodge of Georgia, in the preamble to its Con- stitutions adopted about 1856, made the following remark- able statement: "The Grand Lodge of Free and Ac- cepted Masons of the State of Georgia, existing by virtue of a Warrant issued by Thomas Thynne, Lord Weymouth, Grand Master of England, dated A.D. 1733, and renewed by Sholto Charles Douglas, Lord Aberdour, Grand Master of England, A.D. 1755," etc. R.W. Charles W. Moore in July, 1856, pointed out that this preamble was incorrect in the following particulars: "1. The Grand Lodge of Georgia does not exist by virtue of a Warrant from Lord Weymouth. 2. Lord Weymouth was not Grand Master of England in 1733. 3. Lord Ab- erdour was not Grand Master of England in 1755. 4. The Grand Lodge of Georgia had no existence in 1733. ' ' He proceeded conclusively to prove these negations and pointed out that the Warrant which was issued by Lord Weymouth in 1735 was for a particular Lodge, not a Provincial Grand Lodge, in Georgia. 15 M.F.M. 263, 353-362. The first appointment of any Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Georgia was made by Lord Aberdour sometime between May 18, 1757, and May 3, 1762. Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 202. The Grand Lodge of Georgia has amended its preamble so that the corresponding part of it now reads as follows : "The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, accord- ing to the Old Institution, of the State of Georgia, exist- ing since 1733, and by virtue of, and in pursuance of the 74 right and succession legally derived from the Most Noble, and Right Worshipful Thomas Thynne, Lord Viscount Weymouth, Grand Master of England, for the year of Masonry Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty-Five, by his warrant directed to the Right Worshipful Roger Lacey, and by the renewal of the said power by Sholto Chairles Douglass, Lord Aberdour, Grand Master of Scot- land, and for the year Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Five and Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty- Six, the Grand Master of England for the years Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Eight, by his warrant directed to the Right Worshipful Gray Eliot," etc. I must confess that I do not understand quite what this means but if there is any evidence to sustain the claim that the Grand Lodge of the State of Georgia has existed since 1733, I sincerely wish our good Brethren of that jurisdic- tion would refer us thereto. I am unable to find it, al- though I have carefully considered Brother Rockwell's arguments. 15 M.F.M. 353-359. Brother Sidney Hayden in his Washington and his Masonic Compeers (page 342) speaks of "King Solo- mon's Lodge at Savannah which had commenced its work under an old oak tree in 1733 when the first settlement of Georgia began." Brother Hayden gives us no suggestion of his authority, if he had any, for this remark made one hundred and thirty-three years after the event. Too many times even good historians have been led astray by the error of others 75 for us to give much weight to any statement of this type unless and until we know what evidence there is or was for it or what sources of information the declarant possessed which are not available to us. In February, 1733, Oglethorpe arrived at Port Royal with a charter, "in trust for the poor," dated June 9, 1732, to establish a colony south of the Savannah River to be called Georgia. He proceeded to the Savannah River and began to fortify his new settlement to protect the immi- grants from the Indians who then inhabited the locality and the Spanish who claimed to own it. The record tells us that for "almost a year, the Governor dwelt under a tent." It doesn't seem likely and there is no CAddence that either a Lodge or Grand Lodge was organized under such circumstances. On December 13, 1733, at a communication of the Grand Lodge of England, steps were taken to make a generous collection "to send distressed Brethren to Georgia where they may be comfortably provided for." It is definitely known that contributions were made by the Fraternity for this purpose. X Q.C.A. 235. It would be natural that these Brethren, although poor, would in their new home gather as a Lodge and this gives additional credit to the date of 1735. Oglethorpe (having returned to England in 1734) took about three hundred emigrants of a better class (among them the celebrated Methodist divine John "Wesley) with him to Georgia in 1736. 76 Roger Lacey may have preceded these emigrants or gone with them. He must have taken out his Warrant, however, between October 30, 1735, and March 8, 1735/6. 1735, October 31, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Alexander and Charles Gordon made. Brothers Capt. James Cerke and Dr. Thom- as Moffatt admitted. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1735, November 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which a vote was passed relative to the construction of the 8th Article of the By- Laws. B.MS. 16. 1735, November 20, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. James Forbes made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1735, December 1, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1735, December 27, Boston. Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Evange- list. Captain McLean chosen Master of the First Lodge. 1 Mass. 4. 77 South Carolina. Charles Pelham, in 1750, when, as Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Boston, he began his book of records by recording the principal events theretofore, wrote under date of December 27, 1735, that "about this time sundry Brethren going to South Carolina met with some Masons in Charlestown who thereupon went to work, from which sprung Masonry in those parts. ' ' This may be the Lodge referred to under 1735, after April 17, supra. Undoubtedly, Pelham knew whereof he spoke; but we are hardly warranted in assigning December 27, 1735, as a definite date or in making too explicit assertions about it. If it be not Lodge 251, then it is doubtless the Lodge referred to under January 26, 1737/8, infra. There is, it seems to me, hardly original evidence enough to warrant any definite conclusion. Too much weight, however, can- not be given to Pelham 's assertion that from this movement sprung Masonry in South Carolina. He may not have known the exact facts about the authority obtained from England' above referred to. (See 1735, after April 17, swpra.) Moreover, he does not recite the issuance of any warrant or deputation. On his bare statement, the Lodge would be irregular. At the same time, there is no evidence that No. 251 did not spring from Massachusetts for there is nothing to show the exercise of any authority direct from England prior to October 28, 1736, q.v. Pelham had sources of informa- tion in 1750 of which we are not to-day aware. He was 78 intimately associated with those who had participated in the events from 1733 onward, and could have gained much information at first hand. 1735/6, January 4, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which it was voted: "That the Charge of making a Single Brother Shall be Eight pounds this Currency." B.MS. 16. 1735/6, January 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Eobert Tomlinson, John Overing, Esq., Benjamin Barrons (Barons), and Alex- ander Tran made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1735/6, January 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. "William Hinton and John Osborne made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1735/6, January 21, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Oxnard, and Capts. Robert Boyd and Thomas McKnight made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 79 1735/6, January 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Benjamin Hallo- well and Capt. Webber Gofton made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1735/6, January 30, Boston. Meeting of the First X/odge. Francis Johonnot, Capt. Robert Smith, Hugh MeDaniel, and Luke Vardy (Master of the Exchange Tavern) made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1735/6, February 5, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Eobert Oliver and Capt. William Frost made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. On this day six Brethren of Portsmouth, N.H., executed a petition to Henry Price for the Constitution of a Lodge at Portsmouth. The original petition is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. For facsimile see 1871 Mass. 307. \Ve do not know the exact date of the Constitution of this Lodge except that it was some time in 1736. Its earliest existing record book begins October 31, 1739, q.v., with the adoption of a set of Regulations or By-Laws. 80 1735/6, March 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Bladwell, Esq., made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1735, Philadelphia. There is a tradition without any definite evidence to support it that Franklin laid the Corner-stone of the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, during this year. Benjamin Franklin as a Freemason (Sachse), 27-30. In the Pocket Companion (Dublin, 1735 Ed.) a Lodge is given as No. 116 at the Hoop, in "Water Street, in Phila- delphia. Such a Lodge was never on the English Eegister. L.M.R. 56, 480. By fanciful and strained reasoning some Brethren have sought to say that it belongs as No. 79 on the English Register which happens this year to be blank. But that it does not belong there is evident from the fact that on the earlier and later English lists. No. 79 is duly accounted for. Moreover this Lodge is not to be found in the later published Irish lists. If a Lodge at The Hoop existed before 1733, it could not have had the place of No. 79 which belonged until that year to the Lodge at Castle, Highgate, when it united with 81 No. 4. No. 79, thus vacated, was officially filled by the Lodge at the Two Angels and Crown, Little Saint Martin's Lane. X Q.C.A. 241, 246. L.M.R. 57. 1736, April 6, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, After April 15, London — South Carolina. The Earl of Loudoun issued a Deputation to John Ham- merton, Esq., as Pro. G.M. for South Carolina. Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 186. Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. Entick (1756 Ed.) 333. P.C. (London 1759.) 115. 1736, April 26, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains the following item: ' ' Some private Societies of Gentlemen who call themfelves Free Mafons, having been fet up in Holland, the Mob began to fhew their Diflike to fuch Meetings, by threatening to pull the Lodge or Houfe vrhere they affembled, about their Ears; but foon after the States of Holland thought fit, it feems, to pafs a Eefolution againft fuch private Affemblies; vphereupon the City of Amfterdam publilhed a Placart againft them, in Subftance as follows, viz.: Forasmuch as the Magiftrates in the City of Amfterdam have heard, that there are Perfons in it, who, under Pretence of being Members of a certain Society called Pree Mafons, have had the Affurance to form and frequent Conventicles and unlawful Affemblies upon that Account, and that fome have made ufe of their Houfes and Lodgings for holding the faid prohibited Affemblies; The Magiftrates having it at Heart to take Care of the Tranquility and Welfare of the City and its Citizens, have thought it proper and neceffary, to forbid and prohibit all Perfons in the faid City and its Jurifdiction, as they are by thefe Prefents forbidden and prohibited, to hold and frequent 82 fuch unlawful Conventicles, whether with the Names of Free Mafons, or any other fpeeious Title which they may affect; as alfo to hire, lett, and make ufe of their Houfes, Chambers, Barns, Cellars, Coaeh- houfes, or other Places, for the holding of fuch Aflemblies, under Pain of being feverely punifhed, as Disturbers of the publiok Peace, &e. Such another Placart has been publifhed againft them at the Hague, and 'tis faid their Lodges or Aflemblies are to be fuppreffed throughout the whole Province of Holland; for the Dutch, it feems, look upon them as Aecademies not only of Libertinifm and De- bauchery, but of Faction and Rebellion, and therefore thofe, who keep or frequent fuch Affemblies, are to be punifhed as Difturbers of the publick Tranquility." P-t. 1736, May 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Patrick Eobertson made. P.L. 1736, May 31, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. John Frazier and Col. John Morris made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 1736, June 7, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, June 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Capt. John Hug- get admitted. Mate John (James) Farrell and Mate (Capt.) Giles Vandelure made. P.L. B.MS. Barons Letter. 83 1736, June 14, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains an account of a so- ciety erected at Rome under the name of La Cuchiara, after the model of the Free Masons, and its immediately meeting with persecution by some of the Priests. P-t. 1736, Jvme 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following votes were passed: ' ' That all New made Brothers, Shall Signify upon the Same Night of their Making for the next Lodge night followe Wheither they will be Members or Not, And if they defire to be Members, Then they Shall be Admitted In, without a vote, paying twenty Shillings En- trance Pot their Quarteridge. " ' ' That Every foreign Brother Admitted in. Member of this Lodge Shall pay two Shillings & Six pence to the Tyler." "That our prefent Secretary be Exeufed & free from all Charges & Expenfes of this Lodge." B.MS. 16. Bro. Capt. James Crawford admitted. P.L. B.MS. In the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is the original draft of a letter dated this day: "Erom the Holy Lodge of St. John held in Boston New England" to "the Rt. Hbl. and Et. Worshipful Grand Master or Deputy G. M. or G. W. of the Grand Lodge of the Eree and Accepted Masons In England" of good wishes and of recommendation "of our Et. Worshipful Bro. Mr Benja Barons (our present S. G. W.) " This letter with an accompanying list of names of the Free and Accepted Masons who were then members of the 84 Lodge are also in Beteilhe's handwriting. The letter has the original signatures attached of Henry Price, G.M., James Gordon, D.G.M., and Francis Beteilhe, G-.Sec'y., although they are all crossed out in ink. The letter and list either were retained as copies^ or else for some reason were not issued. They are clearly genuine. The water- marks and texture of the paper are those of the period. The handwriting is unquestionably the same and even the ink is obviously the same that was used upon other documents by Beteilhe. Every name on the list is to be found on the Pelham List of 1751 except those of Captain Roger Willington and Saml. "Wethered. The former is on the Beteilhe List of 1737 and both are upon the original rec- ords of the First Lodge in Boston. The list, so far as I know, has never been published. They read as follows: "From the Holy Lodge of St John's Held in Bofton New England the 234 Day of June A.M. 5736. Most Worthy and Dear Brethren, Our great Affection for the whole Fraternity will not permit Us, to Slip this favourable Opportunity, to Give you Sincere Afsuranoes of our due Regards, for all our Most Worthy Brethren, regularly Met in the Rt Worshipful Holy Lodge of S* John, under the Pro- tection of the Heavenly Canopy And in Particular, 'That of England. Our hearty good Wishes, We forward to You under the Recom- mendation of our Rt Worfpl. Brother Mr Benja Barons (our pres- ent 8.G.W.) Who's great Meritts has Contributed very much to the flourishing State of Masonry in this great Town. Our Lodge was Constituted by Our Right Worfhipfull Grand Master Mr Henry Price (Provincial Grand Master) on the 31st day of August A:D: 1733 & is held at the RoyaU Exchange Tavern in King Street Boston. And Meet the 2d & 4th Wednesday in every 85 Month; It is Adorned with the most Eminent Gentlemen of this Place, And kept in it's Primitive Beauty & Purity. We Should think our Selves thoroughly Happy, if any favorable Opportunity, would ofEer to Convince all Our Worthy Brethren, of our true Affection for their Person; and for their Interests in thefe Parts: But in a particula'r Manner for thofe of your Et Worfhip- f uU Lodge ; to whome We Remain with due Respect Most Worthy & Dear Brethren Yoe Affectionate Bros and very humble Servents. Francis BeteUhe, G.Sec'y. Henry Price, G.M. James Gordon, D.G.M. See 1883 Mass. 157. as A List of the Names of the Free & Accepted Masons who are Members of the Holy Lodge of St John's Held in Bofton in New England. Mr Henry Price. G.M. His BxeeUy Jona Belcher, Esqr Andrew Belcher Esqr Benja Pemberton Esqr Henry Hope Esqr Capn James Cerke Capn Roger Willington Mr John McNeal Brethren made in Bofton Mr James Gordon D.G.M. Mr Benja Barons S.G.W. Mr Robert Thomlinfon J.G.W. Capn Robert Maokeleen, M. Mr Hugh McDaniel S.W. Mr John Osborne jun. J.W. Francis Beteilhe Secy Charles Bladwell Esqr Doc. Thos MofEatt John Overing Esqr Mr Thos Phillips Mr Andrew Hallyburton Mr Thos Oxnard Capn Willm Hinton Capn Robt MoKnight Capn Webber Gofton Capn Robert Smith Capn W illTn Frost Capn Robert Boyd Capn James Forbes Capn Benja HaUowell Doc. Robert Gardiner Mr Moses Slatteney Mr Alexa Gordon A facsimile of the list is herewith. Mr Chars Gordon Mr Alexa Trann Mr Sam. Pemberton Mr Willm Wefson Mr Eobt Kenton Mr Eobt Peafley Mr Peter Prefcott Mr John Baker Mr Sam: Curwin Mr Anto Davis Mr John Smith Mr Sam: Wethered Mr Hugh Scott Mr John Gordon Mr Richa Pattefhall Mr Fran Johonot CoU. Jn. Morris Capn John Fraizier Capn Jas Farrell Capn Giles Vand^llure Capn John Huggott Mr Fredk Hamilton Mr Thos Molony Mr Edwa EUis Mr Luke Vardy (Master of the Royall Exchange Tavern 87 1736, June 24, Boston. The Boston Evening Post for June 28, 1736, has the following account of the celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Baptist on this day : "Thursday laft, being the Feftival of St. John the Baptift, the Annual Meeting of the Free and Accepted Mafons, they accordingly met at the Eoyal Exchange in King-Street, Bofton: The Grand Mafter Nominated and Appointed Mef£ieurs Hugh Mac Daniel and John Osborne Wardens for the Year enfuing; after which they had an elegant Entertainment, his Excellency the Governour, the Rev. Mr. Commiffary Price, and feveral other Gentlemen of Diftinctiou being pref ent. ' ' P-t. 1 Mass. 5. Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 8, 1736, reports that Thomas Hopkinson, Gent., was chosen Grand Master of the Province of Pennsylvania at a Grand Lodge held in Philadelphia this day. 1736, June 28, Boston. A petition was forwarded for the appointment of Rob- ert Thomlinson to succeed Henry Price as Pro. G.M. 1871 Mass. 309. 1883 Mass. 159. 1736, July 5, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, July 15, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of the election of Thomas Hopkinson as Grand Master of the Province of Pennsylvania. 88 I ■W^-M^^ t4>!^4c#-« ^-«*?(^^ i*^*;; 13^ Wi §^- > ^ '^ftiffilJlllllsl 5^^ €-im ^a^^^^t^^ ;:i \ . 1736, July 22, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette gives an account of a Masoniu parade in London. 1736, July 27. Boston. The New England Weekly Journal of this date had the following item: ' "London, March 20, On the 15th of next Month an extraordinary Feaft is to be held at Fiflimongers Hall by a felect Number of Free Mafons, in Honour of his Highnefs the Duke of Lorrain's Narriage (sic), who is one of the Brethren. N.B. Every Brother is to introduce two Sifters to this grand Feaft, to convince the Publiek that they are no Enemies to the fair sex. ' ' P-t. 1736, August 2, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, August 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Shaw Mackintosh, Esq. and James Stevenson made. P.L. B.MS. 1736, September 1, Boston. Henry Price, G.M., James Gordon, D.P.G-.M., Eobert Tomlinson, M., Hugh McDaniel, Sr.W., John Osborne, Jr.W., and Francis Beteilhe, Sec'y-, wrote a letter of recom- mendation for Brother Patherick (Patrick) Eobertson. 1 Mass. 393. See 1736, May 12, supra, and 1736, November 2, infra. 89 1736, September 6, Pifladelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, September 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Nicholas Davis admitted. P.L. 1736, October 4, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, October 28, Charleston, S. C. The South Carolina Gazette for October 29, 1736, has the following item: "Last night a Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, was held, for the first time, at Mr. Charles Shepheard's, in Broad Street, when John Hammerton, Esq., Secretary and Receiver General for this Province, was unanimously chosen Master, who was pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Denne, Senior "Warden, Mr. Tho. Harbin, Junior Warden, and Mr. James Gordon, Secretary." 1736, November 2, Boston. Brother Robertson presents his letter of recommendation (see 1736, September 1, supra) to the Lodge Glasgow Kil- winning and it is recorded in full upon the minute book of that Lodge. 1 Mass. 393. See also 1736/7, January 28 and February 22, infra. 1736, November 8, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 90 1736, November 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Thomas Renolds (Reynolds) made. P.L. B.MS. 1736, November 19, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. Peter Tomkins (Tonkin) and Richard Parks made. P.L. B.MS. 1736, November 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Dr. Archibald Ramsay made. P.L. B.MS. 1736, December 6, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, December 7, London — Boston. On this date the Earl of Loudoun, Grand Master of Eng- land, issued his Deputation to Robert Thomlinson as Pro- vincial Grand Master. B.MS. 19. 1 Mass. 5. 1871 Mass. 309, 349. 1900 Mass. 126. Anderson (1756 Ed.) 333. P.O. (2nd London Ed.) 115. 91 1736, December 20, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736, December 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following vote was passed : "That when ever any Town-dweller Shall be proposed to be Made, the 5th Article in the General Regulations in the printed-book of Constitutions, Shall be Striekly Observed." B.MS. The 5th Article referred to provides that no man can be made or admitted without one month's notice to the Lodge (unless by Dispensation) and due enquiry. 1736, December 27, Boston. The Boston Gazette for January 17, 1736/7 contains the following item: "It being St. John's Day the 27th of December laft, a Grand Lodge was held at the Eoyal Exchange Tavern in King ftreet Bofton, by the ancient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons there, Mr. Henry Price Grand Mafter appointed his Deputy Grand Mafter and Grand Wardens for the Year enfuing, viz. Mr. Robert Thomlinfon Deputy Grand Majlter, Mr. Hugh MeDaniel Sen. and Mr. John Osborne Jun Grand Wardens. ' ' P-t. 1 Mass. 5. South Carolina. Gould says that James Graeme was elected Pro. G.M. for South Carolina. IV Gould, 394. But see, 1737, July 21, and August 18, infra. 92 1736/7, January 3, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736/7, January 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Nathaniel Bethune made. P.L. B.MS. 1736/7, January 28, Boston. The Lodge of Glasgow Kilwinning addresses a letter to Thomlinson, Pro. G.M., in answer to that presented by Brother Robertson (1736, November 2, supra.) 1 Mass. 394. B.MS. 24. It would be interesting to know how this Lodge knew of Thomlinson 's appointment. It had been petitioned for and the Commission had been issued (December 7, 1736), but the Commission was not received in Boston until April 20, 1737, q.v. 1736/7, February 7, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736/7, February 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following vote was passed: "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, Shall be defired to withdraw in proper Time: Unlefs he defires to be made a Fellow Craft. Which Shall be granted, he pay- ing forty Shillings, for Such Admittance." B.MS. 93 1736/7, February 22, Boston. Glasgow Kilwirming Lodge addresses to the First Lodge in Boston a letter of recommendation of Capt. Robert Paisly. 1 Mass. 394. B.MS. 1736/7, March 7, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1736/7, March 21, Boston. The Boston Evening Post quotes the South Carolina Gazette of February 19, 1736/7, as announcing that the "Free Ma f on, Capt. Phoenix from Jamaica," had been "taken and condemn 'd by a Spanifh Man of "War near the Havannah. ' ' P-t. 1737, April 4, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1737, April 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Samuel Stone of Salem made. P.L. B.MS. 1737, April 20, Boston. The Commission of Provincial Grand Master Thomlinson arrives in Boston. 1 Mass. 5. 1914 Mass. 262. 1736, December 7, supra. U 1737, April 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Richard Wolfe admitted. P.L. 1737, April 25, Boston. The Boston Gazette contains the following item of news, viz. "That the Order of Free Malons, eftablifhed long fince in Eng- land, has become lately much in Vogue at Paris, there being great ftriving to be admitted, even at the Expence of ten Louis d'Ors; 18 or 20 Perfons of great Diftinetion have been lately created Mafons, amongft whom was the Marfhal d'Eftrees; and five Lodges are al- ready eftablifhed, which makes fo great a Noife, and gives fo much Offence to People ignorant of their Mifteries, that it's expected they vpill fpeedily be fupprefs'd as they have been in Holland." P-t. 1737, After April 28, and before April 27, 1738. London — ^West Indies. The Earl of Darnley, Grand Master of England, issued a Deputation to Captain William Douglas, as Provincial Grand Master on the coast of Africa and in the Islands of America; excepting such places where a Provincial Grand Master is already deputed. He also issued one to James Watson, Esq., as Provincial Grand Master for Montserrat. Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 187. Entick (1756 Ed.) 333. Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. P.O. (2nd London Ed.) 116. 95 1737, May 3, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 1737, May 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Alexander French made and Brother John Maxwell admitted. P.L. B.MS. 1737, May 12, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of the election of the Grand Master of Scotland. 1737, May 26, Charleston, S. C. "The Recruiting Officer" was acted at Charleston for the entertainment of the Fraternity "who came to the play- house * * * in the usual manner." The Entered Appren- tice's and Master's songs were sung, the Masons in the Pit joining in the chorus. "After the play, the Masons re- turned to the Lodge at Mr. Shepheard's in the same order observed in coming to the play-house." South Carolina Gazette for May 28, 1737. 1737, June 2, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of a Masonic funeral in London. 1737, June 6, Philadelphia. L. B. charges the entrance fees of Dr. Thomas Cadwala- der, Michael Carlo, William Deering, Thomas Bsdaile, David Humphrey, John Jones, and Henry Lewis. 96 1737, June 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Captain Edward Gierke (Clarke) of New York and Albert Dennie made. P.L. B.MS. 1737, June 9, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter has the following curi- ous item: "The Humour of entring into the Society cal'd Free Mafons, nms fo high in Trance that there are no lefs than nine Lodges confti- tuted in Paris, a vaft many young Noblemen are become Members of the Order, particularly the Prince of Conti, and even the Minifter for the Marine Affairs, as well as feveral General Officers and two Bifhops. The Ladies pufh forward for an inftitution of this Kind, in order for an engraftment but the Princefs of Carignan is the only Woman yet discovered that can. fteep (sic) a secret, fo that the Female Mafonry, it's thought, will fall to the Ground. — juft now we have Advice that Monfieur Blarer the noted Piute Player, and Monfieur Leclainlee, the famous Pidler, with feveral other Men of Science, and Poets of all Sizes were admitted Members, but as the old Cure of St. Sulpice the Great Pro ector (sic), and Father Tournemin the celebrated preacher and Jesuit, were going to initiate themfelves, out comes an Order from the King, like a Thunderbolt, and throws down the Babel Building." P-t. 1737, June 16, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes an item copied in the Boston Evening Post of June 27, 1737, the New Eng- land Weekly Journal of June 28, 1737, and the Boston Weekly News Letter of June 30, 1737. It is as follows ; "Philadelphia, June 16. We hear, that Monday night laft, fome People pretending to be Free Mafons, got together in the Cellar, with a young Man who was 97 defirous of being made one, and in the Ceremony, 'tis faid, they threw fome burning Spirits on him, which burnt him fo that he was obliged to take to his bed, and died this Morning." Under the same date Thomas Hopkinson, Grand Master ; "Will Plumstead, Deputy Master ; and Joseph Shippen and Henry Pratt, Grand "Wardens "in Behalf of all the Mem- bers of St. John's Lodge at Philad'a" issued a declaration expressing their abhorrence of such practices and the in- nocence of the Fraternity, which was published as an ad- vertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette and the American Weekly Mercury. Incidentally we note that this confirms what has been hinted above to the effect that there was, down to this date, but one Lodge in Philadelphia and also that the Lodge and the Grand Lodge there were one and the same. 1737, June 23, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes the result of the coroner's inquest on the matter referred to under 1737, June 16, supra. 1737, June 24, Boston. The Boston Gazette for June 27, 1737, publishes the fol- lowing account of the Festival on this day: ' ' Friday laft being the Feaft of St. John the Baptif t, the annual Meeting of the Free and Accepted Mafous, they accordingly met. The right worshipful Mr. Eobert Thomlinlou G. M. nominated and appointed his grand Officers for the Year enfuing, viz Mr. Hugh McDaniel D.G.M. Mr. Thomas Moffatt, (Doctor of Medicines) S.G.W. Mr. John Osborne J.G.W. Mr. Benjamin Hallowell, 6.T. Mr. Francis Beteillie (Beteilhe) G.S. after which the Society attended the G.M. in Proceffion to his Excellency Governour Belcher, & from thence the Governour was attended by the G.M. and the Brotherhood to the 98 Royal Exchange Tavern in King-Street, where they had an elegant Entertainment. It being the firft Proceffion in America, they ap- peared in the proper Badges of their Order, fome Gold, the reft Sil- ver. The Proceffion was elofed by the Grand Wardens." P-t. 1 Mass. 6. This item was copied in the St. James Evening Post, London, for August 20, 1737. 1 Mass. 470. This was probably the first American procession of a Lodge as such and in regalia. See The Builder tor July, 1916, page 212. But see 1737, May 26, supra. Philadelphia. William Plumstead was chosen Grand Master of Pennsyl- vania at a Grand Lodge held at the Indian King. Pennsylvania Gazette for June 30, 1737. Boston Weekly News Letter for July 14, 1737, q.v. 1737, June 27, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the item referred to under 1737, June 16, supra. P-t. 1737, June 28, Boston. The New England Weekly Journal publishes the item referred to under 1737, June 16, supra. P-t. 99 1737, June 30, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the item re- ferred to under 1737, June 16, supra. P-t. 1737, July 2, Charleston, S. C. The South Carolina Gazette announces the arrival at Charleston of the "Free-Mason,'' from Providence, refer- ring to it as a sloop. 1737, July 4, Boston. The Boston Gazette publishes the following item of news from London : "April 26. Yefterday at Noon the Earl of Darnley Grand Matter elect of the Antient and Honourable Society of Tree Mafons in a Chariot drawn by fix fine Horfes, attended with upwards of an hundred Coaches & Chariots, went from his Lordship's Houfe in PaU-Mall, where the Company Breakfafted, which coft his Lordfhip two hundred Pounds, and then proceeded thro' the City to Pilhmong- er's Hall, where a Grand Entertainment was provided: There were three Pair of Kettle Drums, fix Trumpets, and eight French Horns, properly difpos'd in the Proceffion. " P-t. 1737, July 11, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following ex- tract of a private letter from Paris: "The Court has taken fuch OfEenee at the vaft and fudden In- creafe of the Society of Free Mafons, that the King has forbid theii Meeting at any of their Lodges, and looks with an indifferent eye on thofe who have been forward in entering into a Society, that even the States of Holland would not fuffer amongft them. ' ' P-t. 100 1737, July 14, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- ing item quoted from the Pennsylvania Gazette of June 30, 1737: "Friday laft was held, at the Indian King in this City, a Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Mafons; when William Plumstead was unanimously ehofen Grand Mafter of this Province, for the Year enfuing; who appointed Jofeph Shippen, jun. to be his Deputy, and Meffrs Henry Prat, and Philip Syng, were nominated and chofen Grand Wardens." P-t. 1737, July 21, Charleston, S. C. The Carolina Gazette for July 23, 1737, announces that at a meeting of the Lodge at Charleston, held this daj', John Hammerton, about to sail for London, resigned his office as Master of the Lodge and James Graeme was chosen and installed in his stead and appointed his "Wardens. The "whole Society * * * were 30 in number." Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette copies from the Boston Gazette the item referred to under 1737, July 4, supra. 1737, July 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Pearson made. P.L. B.MS. 1737, August 18, Charleston, S. C. The South Carolina Gazette for August 20, 1737, reports a meeting on this day of the Lodge at Charleston. A Depu- 101 tation from the Earl of Loudoun was read appointing James Graeme Provincial Grand Master of South Carolina and then he appointed James Wright, Esq., to be Master of the Lodge. In this article for the first time the Lodge is re- ferred to as " Solomon 's Lodge. ' ' 1737, August 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Richard "Wolfe ad- mitted. P.L. 1737, September 12, Boston. The Boston Evening Post quotes "From the Political State for May, 1737, ' ' the following item : ' ' The 28th Inftant at Noon the Society of Free Mafons, went with micommon Splendor from the Houle of their Grand Mafter the Earl of Darnley, in Pall Mall, to FiChmonger 's Hall; his Lordfhip ap- peared on this Occafion in a Superb Chariot drawn by fix fine Grey Horfes, Kettle Drums, French Horns, Trumpets, were properly dit- pofed in the Proceffion which confifted of above a hundred Coaches and Chariots, all filled with Perfons of Eminence, and the Breakfaft at his Lordfhip 's Houfe coft upwards of Two Hundred Pounds, all which are undeniable Marks of the Wealth and Wifdom of the pref ent Age ! ' ' P-t. 1737, October 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Nathaniel Derby- admitted. P.L. 1737, October 24, Boston. The Boston Evening Post under the heading of ' ' London, August 5 ' ' publishes the following two items among others, viz. 102 "It feems they refolv'd at Paris to go thro' Stiteh with the Free Mafons: The Lientenant General of the Police fent to an Englifh- mau's Lodging in the Hotel de Bourgogne, Fauxbourge St. Ger- main, and his Meffengers brought away not only the XJtenfils, Fig- ures, &e. belonging to the Free Mafons, but alfo the Statutes of their Order, and every thing that feem'd to have any Relation to it. In the Year 1734 the French Miniftry would have' confider'd better of the Matter before they infulted an Englifh Free Mafon, for fear of ruffing the P — of B — ; but Adieu Panniers, Vendanges: font faites." "We hear that a Deputation from the Society of Free and Ac- cepted Mafons of this Kingdom is to be fent to Germany, to con- gratulate (a Koyal Brother) the Duke of Lorrain on his Acceffion to the Dutchy of Tufcany. ' ' P-t. 1737, October 26, Boston. Meeting of the First . Lodge. Andrew Hill made and Brother John "Waghorn admitted. P.L. 1737, November 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Tucker and Peter Buckley made, and Brother John Saint admitted. P.L. 1737, November 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Joseph Smith made. P.L. 1737, November 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Erasmus James Phillips made, and Brother J. Sheriff admitted. P.L. 103 1737, November 15, New York. Capt. Richard Riggs was this day appointed Provincial Grand Master for New York by the Earl of Darnley, Grand Master of England. It is believed that he authorized the formation of one Lodge for in the Neiv York Gazette for 1739 are notices of its meeting. Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. Entick (1756 Ed.) 333. P.C. (2nd English Ed.) 116. S. & H. 255. IV Gould 414. 1737, November 28, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains a notice of the meet- ing of Lodge No. 9, in London, on September 21, 1737. P-t. New York. Article in New York Gazette on the "New and unusual sect or society of persons of late appeared in our native country and at last has extended to these parts of America" and complaining that "this society, called Freemasons, meet with their doors shut and a guard at the outside." It will be noted that this was after Provincial Grand Master Riggs' appointment but before his arrival in New York (May 21, 1738). 1737, December 1, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette reports the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master for the Leeward group of the West India Islands. 104 1737, December 5, Boston. The Boston Gazette contains the following advertisement concerning the Pro. G.M. : "Mr. Eobert Thomlinfon being bound fpeedily for England, de- lires all Perfona that have any Demands on him forthwith to apply for Payment; and alfo Kequefts thofe Indebted to him not to delay the fame." P-t. 1737, December 8, Charleston, S. C. The South Carolina Gazette announces the arrival of the "Free Mason" from New York. 1737, December 12, Boston. The advertisement of December 5 {q.v.) is repeated. 1737, December 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Stephen Deblois made. P.L. 1737, December 19, Boston. The advertisement of December 5 {q.v.) is repeated. 1737, December 27, Boston. The Festival is celebrated and shortly thereafter Provin- cial Grand Master Thomlinson leaves for England by way of Antigua. 1 Mass. 6. Charleston, S. C. The Festival is celebrated by a procession of the Craft escorting Provincial Grand Master James Graeme to the 105 Court House where he made an address. Following this the Grand Lodge met and he was reelected and appointed his Grand Wardens. Solomon's Lodge also held its election. Soiith Carolina Gazette for December 29, 1737. 1737/8, January 24, New York. Gould states that the earliest Lodge in New York "of which any record has been preserved was in full working order, and had probably existed for some time," on this day. IV Gould, 260. 1737/8, January 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. James Carrel Tabbs and Thomas Walker made and Brother John Hutchinson ad- mitted. J P.L. 1737/8, January 26, Charleston, S.,C. The South Carolina Gazette reports that the Lodge of St. John meets at Charleston, S.C., at the Harp and Crown Tavern. Mackey supposes this to be the Lodge organized by the Brethren from Boston and the report would indi- cate that it had been meeting for some time. Mackey 's History of Freemasonry in South Carolina, 14. See 1735, December 27, supra. 106 1737/8, January 31, Antigua. Lodge Constituted at Parham, Antigua, first given in the Official English List for 1740, appearing as No. 154. P.O. (2nd Bng. Ed.) 378. Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. L.M.R. 74. L.H.B. 40. 1737/8, February 13. Boston. The Boston Evening Post copies from the London Maga- zine an article reading as follows: "This Writer fuppofes, that this Fraternity might as well be call'd the Society of Carpenters, Joiners, Chimney- Sweepers, or Rat-Catehers, as Mafona; and endeavours to prove this parodoxical Truth, That the Mafons are no Mafons. Agatharcbus the Athenian, Archimedes, Virtruvius, &e as well as the later Architects and Mathematicians, have deliver 'd theit Knowl- edge in this Science freely, generally and publickly. How then can this be the Art, that is kept feoret in the Breafts of the Members of the modern Lodges? as the Conftitution Book affects, that altho' this Society is poffefs'd of many Arts (curious ones, no doubt) yet do they dwell fecurely in the Breafts of the Brethren. Nor does it appear by their Performances, that they are taught in the Lodges to hew, mould ftone, lay a Level, or raife a Perpendicular. How then can they be faid to be Mafons? Is a Drawer a Mafon, becaufe he keeps his Eeekoning fquare? Or a Tinker, becaufe he rings his Kettle by Eule? If a Lawyer can compofe his Caufe, or a Bookfetter erect monumental Volumes; if a Porter ftand ftrong as a Coloffus, and an Apothecary can temper his electuarial Mortars and Cements, to new-frame, and, as it were, rebuild our animate edifices: Yet cannot I perceive the leaft Tincture of Vitruvifm, Euclidifm, or Burlingtonism in any of thefe. Laftly, if the Art of Mafonry be really and truly velted in this Society, how comes it to pals, that the Brethren build no better than fome of the monied Gentry among the Grubs, who, I own, fel- dom build any Thing but Caftles in the Air? 107 Having thus shewn what they are not, let us eonfider what they are, and from whence the Word Mafon, as applied to this Club, may be corrupted. The Society I allow to be a very antient one; and, I believe, they will not thank me for acknowledging, that fuch a ftrange Society may have been even as old as Chaucer; in whofe Days the Word mafe was ufed to fignify a Whim, or Fancy; And what could be more natural, than to diftinguifh a Society by this Name, which hath fo many peculiar whimfical Oddities? Doubt not then candid Bavy that the Word Mafon is a corruption of this Male ; Which will appear ftill more probable, if thou wilt take a Eide or Walk to Devonshire; where, to this Day they call any Perfon whom they imagine to be mad, a Mafe, or Maze, Man or Woman. Some wicked Perlons, I know, would derive this Name from the popifh Mafe, which, I own is of very intricate Nature: Yet muft I reject fuch a malevolent Suppofition, if it was only becaufe so many zealous Protestants, nay even Jews, the conftant Enemies to Tranfubftantiation, are accepted Brethren. _ ^ A. H. F. G. S." P-t. 1737/8, February 14, Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Gazette publishes an account of the trial of those concerned in the mock initiation in Phila- delphia which is copied in part in the Boston Evening Post for March 6th, infra (q.v.), the New England Weekly Journal for March 7th, and the Boston Weekly News Let- ter for March 9th. The American Weekly Mercury published February 14th, at Philadelphia starts an anti-Masonic campaign by a letter based upon the events of the trial. Franklin in the Gazette of the same date (though issued the next day) replies. Bradford in the Mercury is so bitter that he even refers to a band of negro thieves as a Lodge of Free Masons, and, utterly without foundation, accuses Franklin of conniving in the mock initiation. 108 1737-8, February 21, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes an account of a Masonic Celebration in Charleston, S. C, and a notice of a Lodge in New York. In the American Weekly Mercury is a rejoinder to Franklin's reply of February 14th. 1737/8, February 23. Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the following in an extract of a letter from Paris repeated from London under date of October 5, 1737, viz. "You have no doubt the Account of an Act of arbitrary Power of a very high Strain, I mean the forcing open the Doors of the French Free Mafons Lodge here by the Lieutenant-General of Police. Various are the Difeourfes upon this Occafion: Some fay that the Inquifition of Florence has tortur'd out Confeffions from the Breth- ren of the Order imprifon'd fome Weeks ago in that City, and fent our Court an Account of their Difcoveries; but whether there ia any Truth or not in this Report, the Clergy here have decided open War againlt all Free-Mafonry, and upon this Declaration of the Clergy, the People look upon all Free-Mafons to be rank Hereticks, and dangerous to common Society. But, not to lay any Strefs on , thefe Opinions, the Free-Mafons were doubtlefs a Parcel of Madmen, to think of eftablifhing Lodges under an arbitrary Government, ef- peeially in any Country where there is an Inquifition or a Baftile. " P-t. 1737/8, March 6, Boston. The Boston Evening Post quotes from the Pennsylvania Gazette the article referred to under date of February 14, 1737/8, supra, as follows : "Philadelphia, Feb. 7. On Wednefday laft, at the Court of Oyer and Terminer then fitting here, came on the Trial of Evan Jones, 109 Chymift,' for being a Principal concern 'd in the death of D. E. a young Man who had been his Apprentice^ and was but juft free, in June laft. The Trial began at Nine o 'Clock in the Forenoon, and lafted tiU almoft Two next Morning. The Jury found him guilty of Manflaughter, and he was accordingly burnt in the Hand, and order 'd to find sufficient Security for his good Behaviour. There was the greateft Throng of People to hear the Trial, that perhaps ever appear 'd at any Trial in this Province. By the Evidence, feme of whom were deeply concern 'd in the Affair, it appear 'd. That the Deceafed, having made known to his Mafter his Defires of being a Free-Mafon, he and fome of his Affociates, contriv'd to make them- felves Mirth, by impofing on the young Fellow, and making him believe that they were Free-Mafons: The imwary young Man was too foon prevail 'd with to believe them, fuffer'd fueh Impofitions (befide that of his Treating them) as at length terminated in his Death. He was perfuaded to repeat, after one of the Company, what was caU'd an Oath of Secrecy, but as vile, ftupid, and pro- phane (to fay no worfe of it) as ever was invented; after which, he being Blindfold, they gave him Phyfick to Drink; and then led him to, and made him Kifs, the bare Pofteriors of one of their Company. After all this, viz. on the 13th of June, at Evening, the Company, who caU'd themfelves a Lodge, met again, at Dr. Jone's, in order, as the Deceafed was made to believe, to make him a com- pleat Free-Mafon. After Supper, the Company retir'd to the Cellar, and then this unhappy Perfon was led down blindfold to them, and there unveil 'd: They had prepar'd a Pan of burning Spirits, with Eaifins at the Bottom, and were ftanding round, dipping in their Hands for the Eaifins, and flirting the Flames about. This was call 'd Snap-Dragon. One of the Company was wrap 'd in a Hide to represent the Devil, which, with the ftrange Countenances that the Light of the burning Spirits caus 'd, made Things there look ghaftly, frightful, devilifh. However, this it seems did not terrify him as was expected, and he had not been long in the Cellar, when the whole Pan of burning Spirits was thrown on him, at which he cry'd out, Mafter, I'm kill'd, I'm kiU'd; and, notwithstanding they immediately ftrove to extinguifh the Flames, he was fcorch'd to that Degree that he died on the 16th of the fame Month, in a miferable Manner. It was fworn, that the Doctor was the Perfon who flung or fpilt the Liquor; but no premeditated Malice could be proved, fo he came off with only burning in the Hand, as before related. 110 And on Thurfday F — ^E — g — n, Attorney at Law, and E — W — Taylor, were tried for being prefent at, and concern 'd in, the faid Affair. The former was found Guilty of Manflaughter, but was par- don 'd. The other the Jury acquitted." P-t. 1737/8, March 7, Boston. The New England Weekly Journal publishes the ac- count quoted under 1737/8, March 6, supra. P-t. 1737/8, March 9, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the account last referred to. P-t. 1737/8, March 13, Boston— Nova Scotia. The Boston Gazette publishes the following paragraph: "We are inform 'd. That Major Phillips is Appointed Provincial Grand Mafter over the Free and Accepted Mafons, in the Province of Nova Scotia, and that a Deputation is getting ready for that pur- pof e. ' ' P-t. See 1739, April 11, infra. Brother Phillips was made a Mason in the First Lodge on November 14, 1737, q.v. It has been heretofore thought that the above appointment was made about 1740. 1 Mass. 7. Eoss's History of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia, 19. IV Gould, 331. I Robertson's History of Freemasonry in Can- ada, 140-152. Ill 1737, Maryland. There is a tradition of a Lodge at Georgetown, Md., dur- ing this year, but without any supporting evidence. IV Gould, 262. Boston. It may be interesting to note in this connection that during this year Provincial Grand Master Henry Price's portrait, the original of which has been destroyed by fire, although copies are preserved, was painted. 1871 Mass. 285, 295. 1914 Mass. frontispiece and 171. Antigua. Some time during this year Provincial Grand Master Thomlinson while at Antigua found some old Boston Ma- sons and went to work, making the Governor and sundry other gentlemen of distinction Masons. 1 Mass. 6. L.M.R. 483. 1738, April 6, Philadelphia. "John Hammerton, Esq., P.G.M. of S. Carolina," visited the Grand Lodge of England. X Q.C.A. 295. Anderson (Ed. 1738) 138. 1738, April 13, Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin writes a letter, the original of which is still preserved, to his father and mother that they are unduly exercised and that Freemasons "have no principles or practices that are inconsistent with religion and good manners. ' ' 112 1738, April 18, Boston. The New England Weekly Journal published under its news from London: "We hear that the principal Members of the Society of Free and Accepted Mafons intend to wait on the Prince of Wales, with an humble Eequeft to his Eoyal Highnefs, to accept of the Grand Mafter- fhip of that Ancient and Honourable Body for the Year enfuing. ' ' P-t. 1738, April 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Ebenezer Swan made. P.L. 1738, May 21, New York. Provincial Grand Master Riggs' arrival at New York is announced in the New York Gazette for this date. 1738, June 2, Philadelphia. The last known meeting of the Lodge at Philadelphia, about which we have learned much from "Libre B," occurs on this date. L.B. 1738, June 24, Boston. Celebration of the Festival. Benjamin Hallowell chosen Master of the First Lodge. 1 Mass. 6. Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 6, 1738, recounts the choosing of Joseph Shippen as Grand Master of Pennsyl- 113 vania at a Grand Lodge held at the Indian King this day and the last entry in "Libre B" bears this date. The prejudice induced by the mock initiation heretofore referred to was so great that the activities of the Frater- nity in Pennsylvania utterly ceased so far as we can learn until June 28, 1749, (q.v.) with the exception of a single meeting June 24, 1741, {q.v.) See also 1914 Mass. 262. 1906 Mass. 90. 1903 Mass. 49. Savannah, Ga. The Lodge in Savannah celebrated the Festival by at- tending church and dining. Rev. George Whitefield's Diary. Mackey 1395. IV Gould, 261. 1738, June 26, New York. The New York Gazette publishes a song for the Free- masons and a parody on the same for the ladies. 1738, August 3, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Cunningham made. P.L. 1738. August 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Cunningham made. P.L. 114 1738, August 28, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following para- graph : "A Confstitution by the Pope is publifhed at Eome, which forbids the affoeiating of the Free Mafons upon Pain of Bxoommumcation; and that in the mean time thofe Societies at Florence and Leghorn which were fupprefs'd in the Reign of the late Duke, have open'd their Lodges again without fear of the Inquifitiou, becaufe the Prefent Great Duke is a Brother ; and they write from Conftantinople, Smyrna, and Aleppo, that the Societies there are very much increafed ; and that they have admitted f everal Turks of Diltinction. ' ' P-t. 1738, September 11, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following : "They write from Florence, that the Pope judging the Fraternity of the Free Mafons to be highly deferving of the Ecclefiaftioal Cen- fures, his HoUinefs has iffued a Bull of Excommunication againft that Society, the subf tance of which is as follows : In the midft of the Cares of the Apoftlefhip, and the continued At- tention we have to extirpate Heref ies, and maintain the Lord 's Vine- yard in all its Purity; we have heard with Grief and Bitternefs of Soul, that a certain Society, who ftile themfelves the Fraternity of Free Mafons, after making Progrefs in several States in Europe, have likewife fpread into Italy, and even had fome Increafe. We have con- fidered that the impenetrable Secret of this fo Myfterious Society is the effential Part, and as it were the Bafis of its Inftitution; and that being thereby become fufpicious to the Temporal Powers, leveral of them have profcribed it in their Dominions. We have likewife con- fider 'd, that by much ftronger Eeaf ons it ought to be fufpicious to the Spiritual Power, whofe Charge it is to have an ever watchful Eye to every Thing that may concern the Salvation of Souls. For thele Eea- fons, and animated by our Paftoral Care, we have condemn 'd, and do condemn by the prefent Bull the Societies of Free Mafons, as perverfe, contrary to publick Order, and having incurr'd the Major Excommu- nication in its utmoft Extent, forbidding all Perfons, of what Bank, Quality, or Condition foever, who prof efs the Catholiek Apoftoliek, and 115 Bomau Religion, to eaufe themfelves to be wxitten down, oi received into that Society, to frequent any of its Members, or hold Correfpond- ence with them, or to fuff er or tolerate any Affemblies of Free Mafons in their Houfes, under Penalty to the Contraveners of incurring like- wife the faid Excommunication; referving to ourf elves alone the Eight of taking it off, except in Cafe of Death, &c. Given at Rome, May 29, 1738." P-t. 1738, September 18, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following: "Letter from Florence, dated May 24. The Free Mafons Lodges which had been interdicted here, during the Life of the late Great Duke, are now held again with all the Lib- erty and Freedom imaginable; and without any Dread of the Inquifi- tion, which has no Eight to attack a Society of which the new Sover- eign is a Member. (This is falfe Logick; a Sovereign may be a Member of a very illegal and evil Society: But the Strefs lies in this point; the Inquifition has Power over the Sovereign himfelf in Mat- ters of Religion, Etc.) The Free Mafons of Leghorn have alfo re-open 'd their Lodges; and we hear from Conftantinople, that the Lodges at Smyrna & Aleppo are greatly encreas 'd, and that feveral Turks of Diftinction have been ad- mitted into them. This is falfe again; the Free Mafons fure are Men of too much Honour, Eeligion and Good-Senfe, to receive the declar'd Enemies of Jefus Chrift into their Society." P-t. 3738, September 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Joljn Tanner made. P.L. 1738, October, Boston. Pro. G.M. Tomlinson sails for England by way of An- tigua. 1 Mass. 6. 116 1738, October 9, Boston. The Boston Gazette publishes an elaborate account of the laying of the Corner-stone of the new Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh, Scotland, by the Fraternity on August 2, 1738. P-t. 1738, October 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Alexander Wood- rop and Alexander Bowman admitted. P.L. 1738, November 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Pelham made. P.L. Be Peter Pelham, see 1 Mass. vi and 1900 Mass. 121. 1738, November 22, Antigua. On this date a Lodge was Constituted at St. John, Anti- gua. This became ' ' The Great Lodge ' ' April 4, 1744, q.v. O.L. L.M.R. 81. Bntick (1756 Ed.) 337. P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 378. Prichard 28. 1738, December 9, Boston. The accounts of the Masters ' Lodge which are written in the back of their First Book of Records begin by showing that upon this date there was bought of Beteilhe & Price 117 "4 yds. Green Coating and 3 1-4 yds. Scarlet Riband," in preparation for Institution. O.R. ; A.B. 1738, December 22, Boston. The Masters' Lodge was constituted on this date and Reg- ulations or By-Laws were offered by a committee. The original record book of this Lodge beginning on this day is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts. On its first pages it bears the report of this commit- tee and annexed thereto are the original signatures of Hal- lowell, Oxnard, and Overing. O.R. See also O.R. for December 7, 1753. 1738, December 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge in Boston. The existing original records of the First Lodge in Boston begin on this date with the " VI " meeting of the quarter. This is also the first date in the account book of this Lodge which opens "to a Ball''® brought from a former book," &e. O.R.; A.B. 1883 Mass. 159. 1900 Mass. 126. The Grand Lodge also celebrated the Festival. 1 Mass. 6. Charleston, South Carolina. The Fraternity in Charleston celebrated the Festival with meetings of the Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge, 118 James "Wright being elected Provincial Grand Master. They attended Divine Service, held a public meeting in the Court House, dined, wined aboard the "Hope, "and con- cluded with a ball and entertainment. South Carolina Gazette for December 28, 1738. 1738/9, January 2, Boston. This is the date of the first regular meeting of the Mas- ters ' Lodge, which had been Constituted December 22, 1738, q.v. It has been stated erroneously that it was founded this day. Some similar condition of affairs undoubtedly accounts for the dates of July 30 and August 31, 1733, hav- ing been assigned at different times as the Constitution of the First Lodge in Boston. Of the Masters' Lodge, Henry Price was the first Master and Francis Beteilhe the first Secretary. O.R. ; A.B. 1 Mass. 7. 16 M.F.M. 135. 1871 Mass. 317. 1888 Mass. 173. With this date and until July 6, 1753, the Treasurer's accounts of the Masters' Lodge are to be found in detail in the back of the original record book. A.B. 1738/9, January 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Leonard Lockman made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 119 1738/9, January 22, New York. There is an advertisement in the New York Gazette an- nouncing that the Lodge will for the future be held at the Montgomerie Arms Tavern. This would indicate that it had been meeting for some time at least elsewhere. This Lodge was never shown upon the Official Lists. L.M.R. 478. 1738/9, January 24, Boston Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1738/9, January 31, Robert Tomlinson, Esq., Pro. Gr.M. of New England and John Hammerton, Esq., Pro. Gr.M. of South Carolina, were present at a meeting of the Grand Lodge in London. X Q.C.A. 306. 1738/9, February 2, Boston. The Boston Gazette for February 5, publishes the follow- ing article evidently intended as an answer to some criti- cisms of our Fraternity, viz. ' ' To the Publilher of the Bofton Gazette, SIR, By inferting the following Lines in your Paper, you will greatly oblige your eonftant Keaders and humble Servants; SIS. Homo ad Soeietatem natus, St. Augustin Man is a focial Creature, and cannot polfibly enjoy any Comfort or Happinefs in a reelufe and retired Life, entirely deprived of Con- verlation or Society; for it is that which fweetens Life imto us and 120 renders us fit for Converfe with Heav'n. By exercifing our Tho'ts, and by commmiieating that Knowlege we are invefted with to our I'ellow-Creatures, we not only oblige ourfelves, but them; For we by thinking furnifh our Minds with more Knowlege, and by communi- cating to our Fellow Creatures we afford them Aid in their Search after Truth. And as no one will deny but that this is a glorious Practice, fo they muft allow that the Way for executing it muft be by Society, for without it what would become of the Minds of Men? Even the Body which is only the cortex of the Man could not fubfift without it. But then. How much greater Care ought to be taken of the Mind, which would inevitably fuffer without it, and come to nothing, but TJnhappinefs and Confufion? And is this the Cafe that we muft be in without Society? Let every Lover of Reafon then ftir himfelf up, and put forth all his Powers for fetting up fuch Societies for the inverting the Mind with Learning and true Knowlege. And if there are already any fuch Societies fet up among us, let the Members of fuch Societies con- fider that the Ends of Society is the good of the Perfons affociated, and that the keeping private the Secrets of fuch Societies is doing a great Benefit to the Society to which they belong. For it is to be fuppofed by all Men of Eeafon, that every Society is governed by fome Laws or other, and that the Members are to keep them with all Care. But let the ignorant and unthinking Part of Mankind fpit out all their Malice and Fury, and call Society to Task for their convening together; the Way they fhall be anfwered is according to the Advice of Solomon the wifeft of Men — anfwer not a Fool accord- ing to his Folly, left he be wife in his own Conceit. Bofton, Feb. 2d 17; 8 9. Philo-Mathes. " P-t. 1738/9, February 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. George Monerieff (Moncrief) raised. O.K.; A.B. The Treasurer's account for this day shows the purchase and engraving of Jewels, Rods, etc. O.R. 121 1738/9, February 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1738/9, February 28, Boston. Meeting of First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1738/9, March 6 Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1738/9, March 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. Antigua. Baker's Lodge constituted at St. John, Antigua. O.L. Entiek (1756 Ed.) 337. L.M.R. 79. Priehard 28. This Lodge as No. 164 first appears on the OfScial Eng- lish List in 1740. On the same list another appears at St. John as No. 170. L.H.B. 40. 1739, March 28, Boston. Alexander Delavoux made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 122 1739, April 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1739, April 11, Boston — Nova Scotia. Meeting of the First Lodge. The records report the presence as a visitor of "R' W.pfuU Br°: Erasmus Ja^: Phillips G : M. De Nov : Scot : ' ' O.R. ; A. B. For notes concerning Pro. G.M. Phillips see 1891 Mass. 24-30, and I Nova Scotia Lodge of Re- search, 44. Pro. G.M. Robert Tomlinson of Boston was in London, where this day he executed his will. 1916 Mass. 1739, April 14, Jamaica. Lodge Constituted at Kingston, Jamaica. O.L. Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. L.M.R. 82. Prichard 28. i 1739, April 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1739, May, Boston. Pro. G.M. Thomlinson returns to Boston from London. 1 Mass. 7. 123 1739, May 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1739, May 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1739, May 15, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. William Morris made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1739, May 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Clement Vincent admitted. O.R.; A.B. 1739, June 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1739, June 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Hugh McDaniel chosen Master. O.R.; A.B. 1 Mass. 7. 1739, June 14, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- ing passage, viz.: "We hear from Eome, that about a Mouth fince, by Order of the Inquifition, was burnt there, in the open Place before the Church of 124 Santa Maria fupra Minerva, with great Solemnity, a Piece wrote by the Chevalier Ramfay (Author of the Lives of Cyrus, Fenelon Areh- bifhop of Cambray, &e) in Defence of Free-Mafonry, (of which he was a member) entitled, Relation Apologique et Hiftorique de la Secrets des Franos-Mafoas, par J. G. D. M. F. M. A Dublin chez Patriae Odonoko, 1738. This was publifhed at Paris in Anfwer to a pretended Catechifm printed there by Order of the Lieutenant de Police, much of the fame Nature and Authority of that printed in Englifh by one Pritchard and paraded into the World by the fame folemn Oaths; though the one is as little credited as the other." P-t. 1739, June 21, St. Christopher. The Mother Lodge held at Scotch Arms, Basseterre, St. Christopher, Constituted. O.L. Bntick (1756 Ed.) 337. L.M.R. 78. 1739, June 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. John Pringle and John Akins made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1739, June 25, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains the following para- graph : "We hear, that the Society of Free and Accepted Mafons belong- ing to the Lodge in this Town, intend to Morrow in the Afternoon, to walk in Proceffion in all their Formalities, with a pair of Kettle Drums before them, from the South End of the Town, to the Houfe of Mr. Luke Vardy in Kingftreet, where a moft elegant Supper will be pro^dded. ' ' P-t. 125 1739, June 26, Boston. An account of the elaborate celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Baptist on this day appears in the Bos- ton Gazette for July 2, 1739, viz. : "Tuefday laft being the Day appointed by the Right Worfhipfull Robert Thomlinson Grand Matter of the ancient and honourable So- ciety of the Free and Accepted Mafons, in and of New England, for the Celebration of a Feftival, in Commemoration of their Patron Saint John the Baptist: The fame was obferved here with the utmoft Decency, and Solemnity, by the Gentlemen of that Society. At three in the Afternoon They affembled at the Houfe of their Brother John Wagborn, from whence they walk'd in Proceffion to His Excellency's Houfe, properly Cloathed, and Diftinguifhed, with Badges, and other Implement pertaining to the feveral Orders and Degrees of the Society, preeeeded by a Gompleat band of Mufick, eontifting of Trumpets, Kettle Drums, &c. The Society was elegantly entertain 'd at the Governour's, from whence they walk'd in the fame Order with his Excellency their Brother, to their Brother Stephen Deblois Houfe, where they were entertain 'd with a fine Concert of Mufick: After which they walk'd to the Royal Exchange Tavern in Kingftreet, where a fumptous Sup- per was provided, to which were invited many Gentlemen of Dif- tinction. Civil, and Military." P-t. An account of the celebration in doggerel which was written and circulated at the time and reproduced later may be found in 1 Mass. 471. 1739, June 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Peter Prescott admitted. O.R.; A.B. 126 1739, June 28, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter prints the following paragraph, viz: ' ' There are Letters from Poland ****** They add, that the Society of Free Mafons fpreads fo faft at Pofen, that the Clel-gy there have thought it their Duty to oppofe it, and that a Bull of Excommunication has been publifh'd againft that Fraternity, not only in all the Churches there, but in other Parts of Poland. ' ' P-t. 1739, July 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K. 1739, July 10, Boston. Meeting of the Auditing Committee of the First Lodge A.B. 1739, July 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1739, July 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Jenkins and Liney Wallis made and admitted. That they were made this night does not appear on the original records, but the record for July 11th shows their election and the record for this night shows their admis- sion; therefore the Pelham List must be correct notwith- standing the omission in the records. Both the Pelham List and the original records show the admission of James 127 Montier and John Nappier. The original records also state that Brothers John Pringle, John Akins, and Albert Dennie were admitted. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1739, August 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Peter Napper (Nap- pier) raised. Election. O.E. ; P.L. Following the record of this meeting are two blank pages. No other records of this Lodge appear until Decem- ber 2, 1743, q.v. The Pelham List, however, gives proof that meetings were held during the interval for it gives the names of four Brethren who were raised and seven who were admitted during the unrecorded period. O.R.; P.L. 1739, August 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Upon the records appears the following letter : "Eight WorshipfuU Worshipfiill Thrice Worthy & Ever Dear Brethren We with the utmost Pleasure reed: your hearty congratulation Upon the Establishment of Masonry in this our Island, And return thanks to Our Worthy Brethren of Boston for the good Opinion they entertain of the virtues of Our Countrymen, which we hope will be continualy encreasing as the Royal Craft comes every day to flourish and gain ground among us, not only by the Accession of numbers of New Brethren, but especially under the happy Influence of our thrice Worthy Right Worshipful! Grand Master his Ex- cellency William Mathew, whom we boast of as a true good. Mason & a sincere lover and encourager of our inestimable craft. 128 ^ We take kindly our Dear Brethrens offer of a friendly corre- spondence and should before this time have signified the pleasure we hope to reap from it, by an answer to yours of the 4th of April last but that we waited for an Opertunity of sending our sincere and hearty good wishes to our Brethren and Fellows by the hands of one who might in our name greet you in a Brother like manner. We are now so happy as to enjoy this wishd for Opertunity by Our well beloved Brother Majr. John Murrys intending for Boston in a Very few Days, whom we commend to you as a Worthy upright Master Mason who has for some time past. Executed the ofSce of SW of one of our Lodges to the entire satisfaction of all his Breth- ren and FeUows. All the Brethren here salute you well beloved with the greeting of St. John, wishing that all Prosperity may attend you, and that no Malicious Cowan may ever with profane ears & eyes approach even the lowest step of your Worshipfull Lodge, in Order to listen to the Wisdom or pry into the Beauty or Disturb the order & harmony thereof. Prom the Grand Lodge held We are Dear Brethren at the Court House in St. Johns Your Sincer BfEectionate Brethren the 27th June A L 5739. and Humble Servants. Signed by the Command of the Et. W:pfuU the Grand Master William Mercer G S" O.R. ; A.B. 1739, August 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1739, September 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Caleb Phillips made. O.E.; P.L.; A.B. 1739, September 24, New York. The New York Gazette has an advertisement that the Lodge will meet on "Wednesday, September 26th, at 6.00 P.M. 129 1739, September 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Smith and Capts. James Underdown, Narias Vaughn, and Edward Calior (Keller) made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1739, October 8, Boston. The advertisement of John Dabney appears in The Bos- ton Evening Post offering for sale, among other things, Freemason's jewels. P-t. 1739, October 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1739, October 15, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains the following para- graph : ' ' Friday June 1ft, was interred in BumhiU Fields, the Corpfe of Dr. Anderfon, a Dif- fenting Teacher, in a very remarkable deep Grave. His PaU was fupported by five Diffenting Teachers and the Rev. Dr. DefaguUers: It was followed by about a Dozen of Free Mafons, who encircled the Grave; and after Dr. Barle had harrangued on the Uncertainty of Life, &'c the Brethren, in a moft folemn difmal Pofture, lifted up their Hands, sigh'd, and ftruek their Aprons three Times in Honour to the deceafed. " P-t. The Dr. Anderson referred to was the compiler and pub- lisher of the first printed Constitutions. 130 1739, October 24, Boston, Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother James Monk ad- mitted. O.E.; P.L.; A.B. 1739, October 31, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the First Lodge at Portsmouth, N.H., at which "Kegulations or By-Laws" were adopted as shown by the earliest volume now known of the records of this Lodge. It is not certain whether a record book, now lost, was kept prior to this date or not. Concerning this Lodge see 1735/6, February 5, supra. O.K. 1739, November 14, Boston. Meetiag of the First Lodge. Hugh Surrey, John Lam- port, and Peter Dillon made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1739, November 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1739, December 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Timothy McDaniel made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. Antigua. Antigua Lodge, Courthouse Lodge, Lodge in Saiat Mary's Street, and Balsatee (Basseterre) Lodge, each 131 stated as of Antigua (although the latter is of course the Lodge in Saint Christopher) are reported on the records of the Grand Lodge of England as making payment to the Grand Treasurer for their Constitution. X Q.C.A. 322. 1739, December 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. The records for this meeting appear in a new handwriting and state that Peter Pelham was elected Secretary. O.R. 1883 Mass. 159. 1900 Mass. 122. 1739, December 27, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the First Lodge and Grand Lodge. O.K. 1 Mass. 7. South Carolina. Meeting of the Lodge and' Provincial Grand Lodge at Charleston, South Carolina. Graeme again chosen Provin- cial Grand Master. South Carolina Gazette for December 31, 1739. 1739/40, January 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge at Portsmouth, N.H., when the By-Laws adopted October 31, 1739, q.v., were approved, being subscribed by Geo. Mitchell, Master; N. Fellows, 132 S.W. ; Robert Hart, J.W. ; Henry Sherburn, Treas. ; Jon^ Loggin, Sec. pro tem, and other Brethren. These By- Laws in the original record book bear the signatures of fifty one Brethren, although most of them signed after this date. O.R. 1739/40, January 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1739/40, January 17, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge at Portsmouth. Pro. Gr.M. Robert Tomlinson of Boston was present. O.R. 1739/40, January 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1739/40, February 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1739/40, February 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1739/40, March 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 133 Barbados. St. Michael's Lodge Constituted at Bridgeton, Barbados. O.L. Entick 337. L.M.R. 86. 1739, circa. New York. Lodge Constituted in New York, so it is rumored. L.M.R. 478. I cannot find confirmation. But see 1738/9, January 22 ; and 1739, September 24, supra. 1740, March 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. At this meeting a commit- tee was appointed "to prepare a Remonstrance," to lay before the Lodge on the matter of increasing the initiation fee. O.R. See 1740, April 9, infra. 1740, AprU 3, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Webster and Capt. Thomas Durf ey made. O.R.; P.L. Portsmouth, N. H. Meeting of the Lodge. William Wentworth made. O.R. 1740, April 7, Boston. Meeting of the Committee on the "Remonstrance" re- ferred to under 1740, March 26, supra. O.R. 1740, April 9. 134 1740, April 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. The use of the words "humble Remonstrance'.' in the Oxnard petition of Octo- ber 7, 1751 (for facsimile of same see 1915 Mass. 266) has been misinterpreted because of the present common use of the word. As showing the true use of the word in those days as well as because of its general interest I quote the record of the First Lodge for this meeting as follows: Wednesday April 9th: 1740. Being Lodge Night The following Brethren. Mett. The Et.W: Bro: Robert Tomlinson G M. The Et.W: Bro: Hugh McDaniel M. Bro; I Waghorne S W. The Et.W: Bro: T: Oxnard. D: G: M Pd: 20/. Bro: I Parrel J W Pd: 20/. Bro: Benjn: HoUowell Bro: T: Walker T. Pd: 20/. Bro: Fran: Johonnot Bro: H. Surrey Pd: 20/ Bro: John Hutchinson Bro: Durfee Visr: Pd: 5/. Bro: Henry Price Bro: I: Webster " Pd: 5/ Bro: T: MofEatt Bro: S. Deblois PD: 20/, Bro: Luke Vardy Bro: P. Pelham S Bro: Stevenson Tylar 3/. Reed: 56/6... 2., 19., 6. The Lodge being open'd, the Comms: Appointed last Lodge Night, to prepare a Remonstrance to lay before the Rt. W. Masr: and Brethren of this Society, were Introduced in due form; and Order 'd to Present the same : Bro : T : MofEat one of the Sd : Comms : was desir'd to Read it, in Audience of the Rt W: Masr. & Brethren; And, after due Attention Voted, Nemeni Con: that the Sd: Remonstrance be Ingress 'd in the Book and to pass into a Law, that, for the Future, the Premium to be paid by Candidates, at their Initiation, to be Ten Pounds. Voted, that the Sd: Comms: 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: Comms: be continued, and, that our W: Brothers Oxnard and Waghorne be added to them, in order to pre- pare a Remonstre: (as soon as posable) for the Benifit of the Bank Stock &c of this Society. 135 The Et W: Masr: Hugh McDaniel, Propos'd and Nominated, Mr: Box, (Eope Mkr:) a Candidate: and to answer 40/8. To the Et W: Mastr:, and W: Wardens, and the rest of the Members of this Lodge. We whose Names are hereunto Annex 'd being a Committee ap- pointed by this Lodge to consider, whether it be Expedient that a greater Premium than that now Stipulated by a Quandam "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 that it is now, not only Proper, but absolutely Necessary for preserving the Honour and Dignity of Masonry in General, and advancing the Interest of this Lodge in perticular: That the Sum paid by Novices before Intia- tion be Augmented, and that the said Augmentation when con- curr'd to, & agreed on, may presently have the Sanction of a Law hence-forward. We Tour Said Committee are perswaded, that most of the Seasons which prevailed for then establishing the Inaugurating Fee at the present Eate, do not now Subsist; and consequently cannot be em- ploy 'd as Arguments against our Judgment, and Opinion, to abrogate, or alter that Decree. As that was a Eesolution 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 Eesult of Necessity, and good Policy, whereby the Society might be Enereased to a proper Number. We Tour Committee are convinced that if the Sum paid by Can- didates 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 narrow, or Incumber 'd Fortunes from SoUieiting to Enter with Us : both which are Inconveniences which We cannot carefully enough avaoid, 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 Eespect. We Tour Committee observe that at Some Admissions, There has little or not part of the Money (after defraying incumbent Ex- penses) been applyed towards the encreasing of Our Publick Bank Stock — ^nay! that at Times, there has been Occasion Voluntarily to Contribute for discharging the Defficiency, or else "Vote the Same 136 out of the Treasury: by both which pernioious Practices, that Fund, which should be encouraged, & encreas'd by all honest Methods, & Means — is Lessen 'd, & and the Noble Ends, & Purposes, for which it was destin'd, & appropriated — are frustrated, and rendered abortive. Wherefore, We Your Committee move for Concurrence with Us in Opinion, whereby the General, & Pertjeular Interest: & Honour of Our Society may be advanced: and by which Men of Emiuence may be encouraged; and those of base Spirits, & embarras'd Eor- tunes may be discouraged to Associate with TJs- — And by which our Fund, which ought to be invoilably sacred towards the Relief of Indigent & Distress 'd Masons, their Wives, & Children — may be preserv'd and Encreas'd. We Tour Committee think there are Further Means, whereby aU these Advantages might be further enlarged, and Secured, which We heartily wish. Thos: Moffatt April the 7th: 5740 Thos: Walker Peter Felham O.K. 1740, April 22, Barbados. Charles Crawford, Esq., from Saint Michael's Lodge at Barbados attended the Grand Lodge at London and paid ten guineas for charity. P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 119. 1740, After April 22 and before March 19, 1740/41. West Indies. The Earl of Kintore, Grand Master of England, ap- pointed Thomas Baxter, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of "Barbados and of all the Islands to the "Windward of Guardaloup. ' ' Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 191. Entick 334. P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 120. 137 1740, April 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. The records contained in this volume are so unusually attractive that a facsimile of the record of this meeting is presented herewith as a specimen. It is the most ornate page of the book. 1 N.B.F. 57. 138 Breth ren c^^ TO : ,^^l/f^^^^^ "/f ^^ ■■yuyey'Sr'\y,.,s,._ or ^ ^X^ ro: c^/^^^te^/^. /o-. 1740, May 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. 1740, May 28, " Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. 1740, June 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.R. ; A.B. 1740, June 24, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Brother Thomas Newmarch ad- mitted. O.E. 1740, June 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1740, July 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1740, July 15 or 16, Boston. Pro. G.M. Tomlinson died in Antigua. He made his will on the 15th and was buried on the 16th. See 1916 Mass. 139 1740, July 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Charles, John Box, John Rowe, and Capt. John Furney made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1740, August 11, Barbados. A badly mutilated copy (but the only one known) of the Boston Gazette of August 11, .1740, contains the beginning and the ending of an account of the celebration of the Fes- tival, in part as follows : * "Barbados, June 24th, 1740. This being the Feaft of St. John the Baptift, the Matter and Brethren of the St. Michael's Lodge of Free and accepted Mafons, in a grand Proeeffion, went to St. Michaels Church in Bridge Town, to pay their Devotions, wher they heard a moft excellent Sermon fuitable to the Occafion, preached by their Reverend Brother Hux- ley, Eecter of St. Michaels, the Service of the Day being perform 'd by their Eeverend Brother Rofe, Eector of St. Thomas's. ******* After Sermon the Mafter and Brethren, with the other Gentle- men attendant on His Excellency in the Proeeffion, proceeded from Church, in the fame order as above to the Lodge Houfe, where an elegant Entertainment was prepared for them, and the Ladies the Sifters; and in the Evening, they conducted the Ladies to the Af- fembly Eoom, where they gave a Ball to the Sifters, and other Ladies and Gentlemen, to whom Tickets had been given for that purpofe. The whole was conducted with great Order, and Deceeney, and gave great Satisfaction to every Body. As the like was never feen be- fore in this Part of the World, the Town was crowded with People from all Parts of the Ifland to fee the Solemnity." P-t. 1740, August 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 140 1740, August 21, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- ing paragraph: "We have the forrowful News from Antigua, of the Death of Mr. Eobert Tomlinfon, after Five Days Illnefs. He was Grand Mafter of the Lodge of Free and Accepted Mafons, in this Town. A Gentleman well refpected, and his Death is much lamented by his Brethren and Acquaintance among us." P-t. 1740, August 25, Boston. The Boston Gazette publishes the paragraph last quoted. P-t. 1740, August 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1740, September 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Samuel "Waterhouse made. Brothers John Riekman, P. Hall, and H. Wethered admitted. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1740, September 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1740, October 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Wright (Right) and Patrick Tracy made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 141 1740, October 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1740, November 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1740, November 18, Charleston, South Carolina. A large part of Charleston was destroyed by fire. The Fraternity there contributed two hundred and fifty dollars to the relief fund. South Carolina Gazette. 1740, November 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. George Ladain (Led- dain) made and accepted. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1740, December 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1740, December 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Capt. Edward Oliver made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1 Mass. 7. 142 1740, December 27, Charleston, South Carolina. The Fraternity of Charleston again celebrated the Fes- tival in a most imposing manner. John Houghton elected Provincial Grand Master. South Carolina Gazette for January 1, 1740/1. 1740, December 29, Boston. Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Evange- list at Boston by Thomas Oxnard as Deputy Grand Master and "a great number of Brethren." He opened a Grand Lodge and appointed his officers. O.K. and A.B. of the First Lodge. 1740/1, January 14. Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1740/1, January 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Pelham directed to have a copper plate engraved for blank summonses. O.R.; A.B. 1740/1, February 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Charity Committee ap- pointed. Edward Tothill (Tuthill) made and admitted. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1883 Mass. 165. 1740/1, February 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Cade and Capts. Thomas Dunster and Robert Rand made and admitted. 143 "The other candidate not attending forfeited his praem- ium." O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1740/1, March 5, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge, "being the Third Night of the Quarter." Brother Jno. Nailor admitted, Jno. Tufton made. O.R. The above quotation shows that records have not been preserved of every meeting for we have no such between June 24, 1740 and March 5, 1740/1. Similar hiatuses are to be found later. 1740/1, March 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1741, March 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1741, April 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1741, April 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 144 1741, April 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. The ballot on an applica tion showed "More Nay's than Yea's." O.R.; A.B. 1741, May 7, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1741, May 13, Boston. Meeting of the First I^odge. O.K. 1741, May 25, Boston. The Boston Post Boy has the following interesting item of News from London: "London, Maret 20. Yefterday the antient and honourable So- ciety of Free and Accepted Maft)ns had their grand annual Feaft at Haberdafhers-Hall. The Conclave was very grand, (more Noble- men and Gentlemen attending than has been known for many Years) the Entertainment in the moft elegant Tafte, mang'd with the niceft Decorum, and the Evening fpent as became the Brothers of that Society. Yefterday feme Mock Eree-Mafons march 'd thro' Pali-Mall and the Strand, as far as Temple-bar, in Proceffion; firft went Fellows on Jaok-Affes, with Cows Horns in their Hands, then a Kettle-Drum- mer on a Jaok-Afs, having two Butter-Firkins for Kettle-Drums; then followed two Carts drawn by Jack-Affes, having in them the Stewards, with feveral Badges of the Order; then came a Mourning- Coach, drawn by fix Horfes, each of a different Colour and Size, in which were the Grand-Mafter and Wardens, the whole attended by a vaft Mob; they ftaid without Temple-bar till the Mafons came by, and paid their Compliments to them, who return 'd the fame with an agreable Humour, which poffibly difappointed the Contriver of this Mock-Scene, whofe Misfortune is, that tho' he has fome Wit, his 145 subjects are generally fo ill-ehofen, that, he lofes by it as many Friends, as other People, of more Judgment, gain." P-t. XVIII Q.C.A. 129, 120. 1741, May 27, Boston. The record says "The house being all taken up and en- gaged on some publiek affairs, there was no Lodge held." O.R. 1741, June 1, Norfolk, Virginia. It has been stated by several^ Masonic historians that St. John's Lodge No. 117 was Chartered for Norfolk, Vir- ginia, by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on this date. Dove's History of the G. L. of Virginia. IV Gould 379. S. & H. 298. I have been unable to find proof of this statement. Neither the Lodge at Norfolk nor any other Lodge in America warranted from Scotland prior to St. Andrew's Lodge in Boston (1756) is to be found in the Official List of Lodges Removed from the Roll, published with the 1904 edition of the Constitutions and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (pgs. 198-207) ; nor iu the Edinburgh edition of the Pocket Companion of 1761, 1763, or 1765. Brother Dove says that on the Scottish Register it is given as No. Ill, Constituted ia 1741. I can find it on the Scottish lists only as No. 117, Instituted 1763. Constitutions of Grand Lodge of Scotland, 1904 Ed., 199 and 1852 Ed., 86. B.C. (3rd Edinburgh Ed. 1772) 143. 146 1741, June 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Election. O.R. 1741, June 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1741, June 15, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes an interesting ar- ticle relative to the mock Masons in London, as follows: Marc/j 28. By tie Sight Worjhipful the Grand Miafter, Grand Of- j £ce:s. Stewards and Brethren of the SCALD MISERABLE MASONS. \ ^ fii 4 N I F E s J 0. WHEREAS it hath been malicioufly and impudently infinuated that Our Priicejpan of the 19th Inftant, was intended as an unkind '''■ and ungenerous Kcfleftion on the Ca-valcade of Our younger Brethren i i Ihe Free Mafons. Let this fatisfy the Public, tliat We liad no fuch | ; Intention, bearing always the gre^teft Brotherly Lave and Fricmljhtp I towards Ourfeperated Brethren. But Our Reafons are. i ■ Prima, That We are the True Original SCAip MISERABLE | MASONS, as We can prove by the Records of the Ancient Lodges of i RJGG-FAIR, HOCKLET in -tke HOLE, St. GILES'i, BRICK- j STREET, and the GOOSE and GRIDIRON in St. Paul's Church- Yard. ■ .. I Seciindo, That we were inconteftlbly one Body at. the jERA of the Grand Mafterflnp of Mr. A-TER BOW Tyler, or Poxter'W their Grand and feyeral cjier of their Lodges, ^-^ -'■- , 147 FertU, Betaufc fevcral of the Gentry, wiiho>it our Privity; have crept iR'among Us wlio had more Meuty than W/V, anil more Nitety than Qe*ti~Fei/tmfiif, :ind have fet up. themfelves as a ciiHnft Bod)v under the Name of FREE MASOSS, in open Violation of our Ancient Conftitution. , ,. ' . ^arto, Bccaufe We have henrd it iniinuated, that osr difcontinjing the Anhual P roeeffoH was urged :isa pi-of;rof oir Non Exiftance; cr, at leaft, was a Tacit Rcfignation of Right of Elucifliij.^to our Yuum^r- Byotberi, the FREE MAHOm. Wherefore, We have at this time thought fit, arte: ling to the hiewit^ ConfiitHtiom oithe above axcieut Lodges, to re-alTui;ie our PrBccJjional Cirtmony. And that AH whom it may concern may Judge af the Juftncfs of out Pretenfions, We have annexed a Scheme of our PrscrjV.on, unci their Co'ualcade, and fubmit to the Public %\'hich » i* ir.oli oec-aning the Dignity and Soltintiity.oiio Ancient and lb Vcnouble a Hscitty. PROCESSION of the Scald Miserable Masons. Two Sar/tAB/fo, viiigaily. call'd G>Vi, //«/a.',-i" L;v'-r:'-« . r-.*. i An Afs, in proper Habiliments, led by tvo i'ages, in the Liveries and Ribbons of the Stfwards Colour ; carrying <» Pair of r utter Firkins, on which a Yoath in a neat Attire beat, with a Pair of i!i- rovi-Bones. A dextrous one legged Man ridirg on an Aft, and playing on a liniling Cfmbai, viz. a Salt Box. The TT'LER, in a long Robe or Veftment, compleatty arm'd j oli his HeadaCapofMaintenance.on which was HieroglyphicaUy depifted '^e myftical Emblems of the '- RAFT -, in his Hand a wooden Sword, riding on a Lean, Lame, cf-opt Sorrel Nagg. Three Stewards in Proper Cloathing, with yetuels and Wa/li/.-, in a G' TT CART, drw;a by Three A ffta^faKr/ya/^ adorned, with gibbons and Cockades. A Pojlilion on the firft, wiiich was led by xwo rages. Three more Stewards in a SAND CART, drawn as before. GRAND CARDER, or Ty/er to the Grand Ledge, in n Huge Cap of Skins, in his Hand a Truncheon j his Shoulders from ictji Sices- ornamented wth. LAy-BANDS,\iV.e3 Ham/etCo/Une/, I'dij t. on a Fine prancing Steed, well managed in a Grain Cart. RAGGED 5J?£7HijiVin proper Cloathing, walking :iccording to the Ancient Conftitutions, THREE, THREE and THREE. The Right Worfhipful GRAND MASTER with his GRAND JOFFICERS in Tifuperb magnificent, fable State Coach, drri\in hy Spaiiin Splint. S^ijhtail, Bobtail, One eye, and Nom-eye, all of various CoioarSj' and bedecked vvith Azare Ribbons. <- ^ ' This Grand ;ir.cl lllufirlous Proceflioh, Was finifh'd by vaft N^Abers o: \ diftjrcr.c Lillruments, which all together compofcd p^ de!e3iJbli . Zvn^phony of ROUGH MUSICK. / ■' "i'bc ,t— *^ark of the right worjhipful ^NEY < ^ P-t. XVIII Q.C.A. 129, 201. 1741, June 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Thomas Oxnard as Deputy Grand Master held a Grand Lodge to celebrate the Festival and appointed his officers. O.R. of the First Lodge. 1 N.E.F. 64. ■ Pennsylvania. A Grand Lodge for the Province of Pennsylvania was held at the Indian King, Philadelphia, and Philip Syng was chosen Grand Master. Pennsylvania Gazette for June 25, 1741. See 1738, June 24, supra; and 1749, July 10, infra. 1741, July 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. . O.R. ; A.B. The Lodge should have met on the 8th, but the house was "fill'd by the members of the General Court, and no possibility of a proper room to hold a lodge," &c. O.R. 1 N.E.F. 64. 1741, July 18, Boston. The Masters' Lodge bought 21/4 yds. of Double Gold Lace. A.B. 1741, July 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 149 1741, August 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. William Maul made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1741, August 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E. ; A.B. ' 1741, September 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Hooper made and admitted. O.E. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1741, September 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Eesolutions were adopted concerning the proper method of toasting the health of our E.W. Brother the Honorable Mr. Belcher, late Governor. O.E. ; A.B. 1 Mass. 388. 1883 Mass. 160. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 175. 1741, September 25, Boston. A committee of the First Lodge waits upon Belcher, late Governor, and presents a complimentary address. O.E. of First Lodge. 1 Mass. 389. 1883 Mass. 161. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 175. 1 N.E.F. 66. 150 1741, October 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1741, October 13, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. "Capt. Andrew Tombes was made a Mason and raised to a Fellow Craft. ' ' O.R. 1741, October 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. A committee was appointed to wait upon His Excellency William Shirley, the new Governor of the Province. O.K. ; A.B. 1 Mass. 389. 1883 Mass. 162. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 175. 1 N.E.F. 66. 1741, October 23, Boston. The committee of the First Lodge waited upon Governor Shirley and exchanged complimentary addresses. O.K. of First Lodge. 1 Mass. 390. 1914 Mass. 263, et cit. Boston Gazette for November 3, 1741. (P-t.) The Builder for August, 1915, p. 175. 1 N.E.F. 279. 151 1741, October 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. George Ruggles and Ed- ward Cahill made. Report of Shirley Committee. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1 N.B.P. 279. 1741, November 6, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1741, November 11, Boston Meeting of the First Lodge. George Ruggles admitted. O.R.; A.B. 1741, November 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1883 Mass. 163. 1 N.B.F. 280. 1741, November 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1741, December 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 152 1741, December 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E.; A.B. 1741, December 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.R. ; A.B. 1 Mass. 7. 1 N.E.F. 280. 1741, December 27, Charleston, South Carolina. Elaborate celebration of the Festival. John Hammerton chosen Provincial Grand Master. South Carolina Gazette for January 2, 1741/2. 1741/2, January 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Capt. Henry Darling made and "raised Fellow Craft." O.R. 1741/2, January 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E.;A.B. 1741/2, January 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Samuel Ehodes, Benjamin Marlow, Charles Price, and Bagwell Irish made. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1741/2, February 3, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. William Bishop made. O.R.;P.L.;A.B. 153 1741/2, February 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1741/2, February 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Kelby (Kilby) Esq., made. It was voted that a petition to the Grand Lodge of Eng- land be sent with all speed for the appointment of Thomas Oxnard as Provincial Grand Master. 0.K ; A.B. 1741/2, February 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1741/2, March 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1741/2, March 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. George Diamond made. Brothers Samuel Rhodes, Benjamin Marlow, and William Bishop admitted. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1741/2, March 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Phillip O'debart (Audi- bert), John Lee, and Henry Smithson made and admitted. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 154 1742, April 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Gautier and Peter Cossett made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1742, April 22, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Capt. Eliakim Bickford made and "raised Fellow Craft." O.R. 1742, after April 27 and before May 2, 1744. Jamaica. Lord "Ward, during his term as Grand Master of Eng- land, in addition to Oxnard as Provincial Grand Master for North America (September 23, 1743), appointed Ballard Becfcford, George Hynde, and Alexander Crawford, Bsqrs., Provincial Grand Masters for Jamaica and one Provincial Grand Master for Bermuda. Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 192. Bntick 334. P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 123, 1742, April 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers Peter Cossett and Francis Johonott (Johonnott) admitted. O.R. ; A.B. 1742, May 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1742, May 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 155 1742, June 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.K. ; A.B. 1 Mass. 7. 1742, June 16, Boston. Meeting of the Auditing Committee of the First Lodge. A.B. 1742, June 17, West Indies. Lodge Constituted at Old Road, St. Christopher, by Grand Master of England. O.L. L.M.R. 87. 1742, June 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Abraham Orpin, William Ball, and William Starkey made. "Brother William Foy, Rais'd F. C. & Mem'"." O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1742, June 24, Boston. Meeting of the Grand Lodge and celebration of the Fes- tival by about forty Brethren. O.R. of First Lodge. 1 N.E.F. 280. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Election. O.R. 156 1742, June 28. ' Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Thomas James Gruchy (Luchy) admitted. Henry Lawrence of South Carolina made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1883 Mass. 164. 1 N.B.F. 280. 1742, July 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Lewis Vassal made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1742, July 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1742, August 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. James Brunette made and Brother Edward Cahill admitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1742, August 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1742, September 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1742, September 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 157 1742, October 8, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Meeting of the Lodge. O.E. 1742, After October 11, Jamaica. Lodge Constituted at Port Eoyal. O.L. Entick 337. L.M.E. 88. 1742, October 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. ' Brother Thomas Campling admitted. O.E.; P.L.; A.B. 1883 Mass 165. 1 N.E.F. 280. 1742, October 14, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Meeting of the Lodge at which it was voted that it meet the first and third Thursday in every month. O.E. 1742, October 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E. ; A.B. 1742, November 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Meeting of the Lodge. O.E. 158 1742, November 10, Boston., Meeting of the First Lodge, O.K. ; A.B. 1742, November 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. James SprowU made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1742, December 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge at which rules were adopted concerning the issuance of letters of recommendation for Brothers intending to travel in foreign countries. O.E. ; A.B. 1 N.E.F. 281. 1742, December 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Joseph Smyth- urst (Smithurst) made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1742, December 28, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. O.K. and A.B. of First Lodge. Charleston, South Carolina. The Festival was celebrated in the usual elaborate man- ner, and Benjamin Smith was chosen Provincial Grand Master. South Carolina Gazette for January 3, 1742/3. There is no further account known of Masonic meetings in South Carolina until 1751. It does not foUqw that no such meetings were held, and the next accounts {South 159 Carolina Gazette for January 10, 1751/2, and January 8, 1752/3, and Timothy's Gazette for March 30, 1752) show abundant signs of continuity. See Mackey's History of Freemasonry in South Carolina, 21. 1742/3, January 6, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1742/3, January 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1742/3, January 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1 N.B.F. 28L 1742/3, February 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E.; A.B. 1742/3, February 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1742/3, March 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 160 1742/3, March 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1883 Mass. 165. 1 N.B.F. 281. 1743, April 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1743, April 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Joseph Murry (Murray) and Edmund Lewis (Ellis) made. * O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1748, May 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers "William Ball, Ed- mund Lewis (Ellis), and Archibald Spencer admitted, and Lewis Turner and George Wilson made. 0.R.5 P.L.; A.B. 1743, May 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Benjamin Frank- lin attended this meeting. O.R.; A.B. 1 Mass. 390. 1888 Mass. 153. 1743, June 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Lewis Turner ad- mitted. Brother Benjamin Franklin was also present at this meeting. O.R. ; A.B. 161 1743, June 20, Boston. The Boston Evening Post publishes the following item, viz.: "Extract of a. Letter from Vienna, dated March 20, N.S. The Affair of the Free-Mafons, ftill makes a great Noife here, becaufe of the Perfons of high Eank concerned in it. By a Lift handed about here, it appears that the Lodge was compofed of a young Prince of an illuftrious Houfe, two other Princes! fi^ Counts of the greateft Families of Auftria, four Generals, a Foreign Minif- ter, well known in the learned World, and three Priests, befides others of inferior Note. Among them there were Eoman Catholicks, Pro- teftants, and Lutherans, the Free-Mafons admitting all Sort of Ee- ligions among them, not even excepting Mahometans; but what we moft wonder at, is, to have found Priefts in this Society. The latter are clofe confined in the Prifon of the Archbifhoprick, and have been interrogated feveral Times already, but abfolutely refufed to give any Eclairciffement concerning the Secret of the Fraternity: Cardinal CoUonitz, our Archbifhop, is charged to profecute them. Among other Things found in the Lodge, there was a Book, in which thefe Words are wrote; Our Orders, the moft illuftrious that ever was known, is of as great Antiquity as the World itfelf, for Adam was the firft Pree-Mafon, &c. Upon which it is further to be obferved, that when the Guards broke the Door of the Lodge, they found a Bible on the Table, open at the firft Chapter of Genefis; but as to the Eeport of their having a Death's Head and black Tapers, is a mere Invention of the Populace, who take the Free-Mafons to be Magicians. ' ' P-t. 1743, June 20. Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Capt. John Shannon made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 162 1743, June 23, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- ing item: "We have Letters from Lisbon which fay, that the Inquifitors having difcover'd that there were Free-Mafons in that City, found Means to take up about 18 of them; that they examin'd them about the Secret of the Society; but upon their refufing to reveal it, the Inquifitors dee 'ear 'd to them, that they fhould remain in the Prifons of the Inquifition until they give fatisfaetory Anfwers on that Head." P-t. 1743, June 24, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. O.E. of First Lodge. 1 Mass. 7. 1743, July 13, Boston. Brothers Hall, Phillips, Allen, and Thomas Rind ad- mitted. Thomas Aston made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1743, July 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Amil and John Van- hartburger made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1743, August 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Perchard and Ben- jamin Ives made. 163 This record contains the first notice that I have seen of the issuance of a '*dispenceation." A committee was appointed to invite Governor Belcher. 0.K ; P.L. ; A.B. 1883 Mass. 162. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 175. 1 N.E.F. 281. 1743, August 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1883 Mass. 165. 1 N.E.F. 281. 1743, September 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1743, September 23, Boston. Deputation issued by Lord "Ward, Grand Master of Eng- land, to Thomas Oxnard as Provincial Grand Master for North America. A copy of this Deputation certified by Peter Pelham, Grand Secretary, on May 29, 1744, is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. For a reproduction thereof see 1914 Mass. between pages 264 and 265. 1 Mass. 8. 1743, September 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. I N.E.F. 282. 164 1743, October 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1743, October 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1743, November 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Dr. Edward Ellis made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1743, November 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. John Boutin (by Dispensation) and Henry Johnson made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1743, December 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. This 'is the first record after August 7, 1739, q.v., and two blank pages. This record is in the handwriting of Peter Pelham, Secretary. O.R.; A.B. 1743, December 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Edward Cahill admitted. O.R.; A.B. 1743, December 27, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. O.R. of First Lodge. 1883 Mass. 165. 1 N.B.F. 282. 165 1743, December 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge Election. O.K.; A.B. 1743/4, January 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1743/4, January 9, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains an account of the recent formation in Avignon of the Knights and Knight- esses of the Order of Felicity soon after the Freemasons were suppressed there, and the mandate of the Archbishop against the new society. P-t. 1743/4, January 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Joseph Holbrook made. Brother Abraham Reller admitted. Under this date the Treasurer paid for blading a book for the Laws and list of the members of the Lodge. (This book has been lost.) O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1743/4, January 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1743/4, February 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters ' Lodge. Election. O.R. ; A.B. 166 1743/4, February 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Vote concerning the en- tertainment of Governor Belcher. O.K.; A.B. 1 N.E.F. 282. 1743/4, February 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Entertainment of Gov- ernor Belcher who attended with about forty of the Breth- ren. O.K.; A.B. 1 Mass. 391. 1883 Mass. 162. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 176. 1 N.E.F. 282. He soon thereafter sailed for England. See 1744, Sep- tember 26, infra. 1743/4, February 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Jonathan Pue made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1743/4, March 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brothers Thomas As- ton, John Boutin, and Philip Audibert raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1743/4, March 6, Boston. Thomas Oxnard receives his Deputation as Provincial Grand Master of North America, and the original records 167 of the First Lodge contain a copy thereof together with an account of his holding a Grand Lodge and appointing his officers. O.R. of First Lodge. 1 Mass. 7, 8, 387. 1871 Mass. 313, 350. 1 N.B.F. 283. 1743/4, March 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Louis Demoulin made. A vote is passed to procure a new book for the By-Laws. (This book lost.) O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1743 South Carolina. Prince George Lodge Constituted at George Town (Win- yaw) South Carolina. L.M.R. 89. IV Gould 395. 1744, March 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Benjamin Hallo- well admitted. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, April 4, Antigua. Francis Byam, D.D., Master and in behalf of Court- House Lodge, Antigua, petitioned the Grand Lodge in London that as they had built a new Lodge-room siKty feet long and thirty feet wide, with a small room adjoining, the said new built Lodge might be entered on the Register 168 as "The Great Lodge of St. John's." The petition was granted with the alteration that the name should be "The Great Lodge at St. John's in Antigua." Entiek 242. Preston (Portsmouth 1804) 192. P.O. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 123. 1738, November 22, supra. 1744, April 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1744, April 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E.; A.B. 1744, April 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1744, May 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, May 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Richard White made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1744, May 23, Boston. Meeting of the First, Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 169 1744, June 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brothers Jonathan Pue, Henry Johnson, and Timothy McDaniel raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1744, June 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Brother W. Starkey admitted. Daniel Plaister and Samuel Winslow made. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1744, June 26, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. O.R. and A.B. of First Lodge. 1744, June 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, July 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, July 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, July 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, August 2, Boston. The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes an account of the burlesque procession by the mock Masons which we reproduce as follows: 170 """' ^rom the Sr. J»me/« EvenioK-Poft, ^ , LONDON, i4 t. "^ •y^ESTERDAY the C«v«lc»d« of ic*]A MifenWt- ^^ MAkms. went in PiocdEan from tb« Flaws of M«*J- _g ing u»n>' theSmmdto Temple B«r. •n4 on retura- •^ ifghicktonictt the Free »BdAcctp!edEk«i(fcas,ihe7 were out into Difordw near Somerfet Houfe, bjnl»e Hijfe' Conn«bleof Weftmmfter, »tt«nacitn( ilt£i!< ana FiiirXJeget 6i UiU So- dety, and bir inconieftablc Arguments evince our fuperioi' jDigni- ty and Seniority to all other Inftitutions, whether t^nt picaticea, are to guard tlie Lodge, wick a drawn Sword, horn ail Cowens and Eves-dropper*, that is Liftoert, left Ukcy fltould difcover the iDcomprcfaenfible Myfieries of lylafonry. A Grand Chonit of Inlirainents, viz. ■ Fonr Sackbatts, or Caw>'< Horns ; fix Hottentot Haatbwf i foar Tinkling Cymbak, or Tea CaniScrs, with broken Glals in tliem ; four Shovels and Broihes ; two Double Bafs Srippingpans ; a Tenor Frying pan : a Salt-Bjx in De-Ja-fol ; «nd a Pair of Gut '' Tab*. Two Filiars. Jacbn and Boiz Aftct ^ha Proportion and Warfcmanfhip of the &nion( 'one* is the Porch oi Solomon's Tempfe. Their Height, their Thicknels, and their Capital. Adom'd with Lilly ^wotk. Net-work, aadPom- granet-^vork. Three pair of Steward*. With their Attendants, in Red'Ribuds, being their Colonr, in tbiee Gut-Caktt drawn by three Afles eich, their Aprons being lined with Red Sik, their Jewels pendant to Red Ribands, end tJKir Head* property adorned with emblematical Cap*. The ttne Origmal Mafon's I ly admitted, fliakc each other by the Hand ; and it i* by putting the Ball of the Thumb of the Right Hand ( for we never do any Aft of Mafonry with the Left) upon the Knuckle of the third Joint of the firft Finger of tl>e Brother's Right Hand, fqaeezing it gently. _ ' ■ Ragged entered 'Prentices. - Properly doathed, givmg the above Token, and the Word, wbicb is Jachiii. Three gitat Lights. . Myflieslly refembling the Sui> atad Moon, and the Matter Mafaa. The Sun ; To Rule the Day. Hieioglyphiai. The Moon ; To, Rule die Night. Emblematical. A Maiter Mafon, To Rule his Lodge. PoIiticaL The Letter G. The Fellow Craft's Token. The Fe]k>w-Craft, or Letter G. Men, A Mallet's Lodge. The Funeral of Hyrtm. Grind Band of Mnfick as before. .Two Tn^faies. The Eqnipge of the Gnod Mifireis, Attendants of Honour. The Grand Secretary witlt hw I«%Ma, &c. f lebitlgtufii tnd CudJda^c} df^ the w&o2c f ioc^Cw> i^ .#r.J. Aftertkefractffionwaio*er,jl.mi(peiitatoBeorth«j L^tge* 4 1- I9,i. 4 d. in Geam.ud 8 i. inBretd aoa Cheefej ; In eke Night wu<0Bd«cledwiUiJ3rittkiiig. Swcatkg, FishiiBg, ! .a|4 •!! otlter DemoBfintiona of Diftorfinices, A''{^,j;^ j P-t. 1744, August 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1744, August 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. William CoiBn made. Charles Pelham proposed by Henry Price as a candidate for the purpose of making him Secretary of the Lodge ; Peter Pelham desiring to withdraw from the office. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1744, August 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1744, September 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters* Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1744, September 12. Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Pelham made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. Ke Charles Pelham, see 1900 Mass. 122. 173 1744, September 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Pelham elected Secretary. O.R. ; A.B. 1900 Mass. 124. On this same day Governor Belcher visits the Grand Lodge at London with a letter from the First Lodge of Boston. Records of the Grand Lodge of England. 1871 Mass. 316. 1888 Mass. 156. 1744, October 5, Boston. The record book of the Masters' Lodge under this date says: "No meeting this night, our B,' W: M. and several of the members being out of Town on Extraordinary Busi- ness. ' ' O.R. 1744, October 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Lewis Delabraz (Dolobaratz) a prisoner of war elected and, by Dispensa- tion, made, gratis, "as he might be serviceable (when at Home) to any Brother whom Providence might east in his way." O.R.; P.L.; A.B. See The Builder for October, 1916, pg. 319. 1744, October 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Pearson admitted. O.R. ; A.B. 174 1744, November 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, November 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Ballard Beckford, Pro. G.M. of Jamaica, visited the Lodge. Peter Pelham, Jr., made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1744, November 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, December 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brother "William Coffin raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1744, December 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744, December 17, Boston. The Boston Post Boy contains the following paragraph under date of London, August 14, 1744. "We learn by Letters from Lisbon, that there has been lately Auto de Fe; after which feveral Jews were burnt, and some French Men, who were Free Mafons, and have been two Years in the Prifons of the luquifition, appeared in the S. Benito on that Oecalion. " P-t. 175 1744, December 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Mr. Belviel made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1 Mass. 8. 1744, December 27, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. O.R. of First Lodge. 1 Mass. 9. 1744/5, January 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge., Election. Brothers Ed- ward Ellis and Lewis Demouline raised. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1744/5, January 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1744/5, January 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Robert Glover ad- mitted. James Gough made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1744/5, February 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. 1744/5, February 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 176 1744/5, February 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1744/5, March 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K. 1744/5, March 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Richard Hood made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1744/5, March 22, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brother Robert Glovei raised. O.R.; P.L. 1745, March 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1745, April 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1745, April 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Marquand made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1745, May 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. 177 1745, May 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1745, May 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Colson made. O.R.; A.B. 1745, June 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.E. 1745, June 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1745, June 24, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. Thirty- three Brethren in attendance. O.E. and A.B. of First Lodge. 1745, June 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.E.; A.B. 1745, July 1, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Byles and Capt. John (James) Heweton made. O.E.; P.L.; A.B. 1745, July 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Eichard Smith Made. O.E.; P.L.; A.B. 178 1745, July 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. "William Coffin, Jr., made. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1745, August 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. After this meeting the following is written in the record book: "Adjourned 'till Octo'' ye 4th; for substantial reasons from time to time." O.K. 1745, August 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge . Antho. D 'Laboladree (D'Laboulerdree), and Peter Phill Chas. St. Paul made. O.K. ; P.L. The Pelham List furnishes the information that Thomas Cross was admitted. In this respect the list must be in error for he is recorded as a Visitor as late as November 13, 1745, on the Original Record. 1745, August 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1745, September 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1745, September 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 179 1745, October 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. 1745, October 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1745, October 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1745, November 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brothers Thomas Cross and Charles Pelham raised. At the same meeting Charles Pelham is elected Secretary and the handwriting changes from Henry Johnson's to his. O.R. 1745, November 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Price reported that the Masters' Lodge had voted a set of Candles to this Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1745, November 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1745, December 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. O.R. 180 1745, December 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1745, December 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. "William Mer- chant made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1 Mass. 9. 1745/6, January 8, Boston. Meeting of the Masters ' Lodge. Brothers Thomas James Gruchy and James Gough raised. O.R. ; A.B. The same evening the First Lodge met and immediately adjourned. O.R. ; A.B. 1745/6, January 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. The records state that the Lodge being opened, "Bro. Jones being but an Enter 'd Apprentice (by his earnest desire) made a Fellow Craft in due Form & Voted Mem""." Brothers John Phillips and Richard Gridley admitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1745/6, February 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 181 1745/6, February 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E.; A.B. 1745/6, February 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1745/6, March 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.E.; A.B. 1745/6, March 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Barnard Townsend and Benjamin Brimston (Brimsdon) made. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1745/6, March 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1746, April 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brother Richard Grid- ley raised. O.K. ; A.B. 1746, April 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1746, April 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 182 1746, April 29, Jamaica. Lodge Constituted at St. Jago de la Vega (now Spanish Town), Jamaica. O.L. Bntick 337. L.M.R. 89. Prichard 29. 1746, May 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1746, May 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1746, May 29, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Williams made. O.R.;P.L.; A.B. 1746, June 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1746, June 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1746, June 24, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge, twenty- five Brethren in attendance. O.R. of First Lodge. 183 1746, June 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. • O.E.; A.B. 1746, July 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. Brother Joseph Holbrook raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1746, July 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B. 1746, July 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1746, August 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1746, August 13, . Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1746, August 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1746, September 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 184 1746, September 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1746, September 24, Boston. The records of the First Lodge state that by reason of an "Alarm of French Fleet" the Lodge was not opened. O.R. ; A.B. 1883 Mass. 165. 1746, October 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1746, October 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Rey. John "Woods made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1746, October 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert MeKennen (Mack- inen) made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1746, October 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. A.B. records this meeting as the 24th. 1746, November 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brother Rev. John Woods raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 185 1746, November 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. John Bradford and Joseph Sherburne made. James Buck ' ' made for a Tylar. ' ' O.R.jP.L.; A.B. 1746, November 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1746, December 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B. 1746, December 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Fee for making raised from 15 Pounds to 20 Pounds. O.R.; A.B. 1746, December 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Voted: "That all Visiting Bro*"^ who are Town inhabi- tants shall pay 15/ each night, and Transient persons 10/." O.R.; A.B. Boston — Newfoundland. Pro. G.M. Oxnard grants a Constitution for a Lodge to be held in Newfoundland. 1 Mass. 9. L.M.R. 472. 1746/7, January 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 186 1746/7, January 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. James Day, Jonathan Pres- cott, Newcoming Herbert, Andrew Irwin, Andrew Dure, Joseph Aberry, and Estes Hatch made. Brother Jonathan Rush "made P. C." Brother Robert Cummins admitted. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1746/7, January 16, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Election. Capt. Nathaniel Pierce made. O.R. 1746/7, January 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. William Day, Peter Hammond, William Martin, and Simeon Potter made and admitted. Rev. Brother Charles Brockwell, King's Chap- lain, admitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1746/7, February 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1746/7, February 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Benjamin Stans- bury admitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1746/7, February 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 187 1746/7, March 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brothers Samuel Wat- erhouse, James Day, John Colson (Collson), and Robert Williams raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1746/7, March 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1746, Nova Scotia. Lord Cranstoun, Grand Master of England, appointed Robert Commins, Provincial Grand Master for Cape Bre- ton and Louisburgh. Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 192. Entick 334. P.O. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 126. 1747, March 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1747, April 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1747, April 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1747, April 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 188 1747, May 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1747, May 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1747, May 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Andrew McKenzie admitted. O.R.; A.B. The Pelham List says "pass'd F.C." But it is wrong. McKenzie was pass'd July 22, 1747. O.R. The few errors which from time to time we find in the Pelham List, in the Beteilhe Manuscript, in the Barons Letter, and in the records prove their general correctness. In them there are no more errors than the average secre- tary or copyist makes in his work. The fact also that names are often differently spelled, although idem sonans, is a further indication that much of Pelham 's information was obtained from other sources than the books now in our possession. The agreement, however, between the or- iginal Proceedings which we have and the Pelham List from January 10, 1738/9 to August 28, 1751, is the best possible evidence of the correctness of the List for the period from July 30, 1733, to November 8, 1738, a period for which we have no original records except now and then a document such as the petition of July 30, 1733, the Be- teilhe Manuscript, and others cited supra. In this eon- 189 nection I want, to note again the surprisingly accurate agreement between the Pelham List, the Beteilhe Manu- script, and the Barons Letter for the periods when they overlap. All of these facts and others nbted now and then supra give remarkable proof that we may rely upon the Pelham List except for such an occasional error as might be made by an accurate scrivener. As a modern in- stance of just such errors creeping in let me cite instances in my article on The Establishment and Early Days of Masonry in America, found in 1914 Mass. 243 to 288, and in The Builder for the months of May, August and Octo- ber, 1915, q.v. I gave the date of Henry Price's commis- sion as April 2, 1733, which should of course have been April 13, 1733. I spoke of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New South "Wales in June, 1727. It should of course have been South Wales. I gave the date of the Deputation to PhiUips as Provincial Grand Master for Nova Scotia as 1740 when it should have been 1738. I gave the date of the Portsmouth petition as February 9, 1735/6, instead of February 5 ; and the establishment of the Second Lodge in Boston February 17, instead of February 15, 1750. I have gone over this address dozens of times, yet some such errors may escape me and a number of other Brethren who have kindly assisted me by verifying citations, etc. Henry Price himself made a similar error on one occasion by stating that his extension of authority over all North America was in 1735 instead of 1734. 1914 Mass. 270. 1871 Mass. 330. See Foreword 4, c, and e ; also 1739, July 25, supra. 190 1747, June 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1747, ' June 6, "West Indies. Lodge Constituted by the Grand Master of England at St. Eustatius. O.L. Entick 337. L.M.R. 90. Priehard says January 6, 1747, but he is wrong. 1747, June 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.K.; A.B. 1747, June 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1747, July 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B. 1747, July 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1747, July 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Archibald Grayham made. P.L.; O.K. Brother Andrew McKenzie "Rais'd F.C. in due Form." O.R. ; A.B. 191 1747, August 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1747, August 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1747, August 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Committee appointed to send congratulations to Governor Belcher upon his ap- pointment as Governor of the Jerseys (New Jersey). O.E.; A.B. 1 Mass. 391. 1883 Mass. 162. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 176. 1747, September 3, Boston. Letter of congratulation sent from the Provincial Grand Master and from the First Lodge to Governor Belcher upon his safe arrival to assume his new office as Governor of the Jerseys (New Jersey). 1 Mass. 391. 1871 Mass. 376. O.E. of First Lodge for September 9, 1747. 1747, September 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 192 1747, September 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Ray (Rae) made. The report of the committee appointed to send congratu- lations to Governor Belcher together with their letter is spread in full upon the records. O.R.; A.B. 1883 Mass. 163. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 176. 1747, September 18, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Samuel Solly, Charles Gorwood, John Salmon, and Alexander Malcum made. O.R. 1747, September 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. The Pelham List gives Robert Bowers as made, John Salmon as passed on this evening. The record is silent as to both. See 1747, October 28, infra. 1747, September 24, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge at which a vote was passed that application be made to Pro. G.M. Oxnard that there be a Provincial Grand Master for New Hampshire. O.R. 193 1747, October 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1747, October 6, Governor Jonathan Belcher from Kingswood House in the City of Burlington wrote to R.W. Thomas Oxnard, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of North America, and the Master, "Wardens and Fellows of the First Lodge in Boston, a letter in acknowledgment of and thanks for the letter of September 3, 1747. 1 Mass. 392. O.R. of First Lodge for November 11, 1747. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 176. 1747, October 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers John Salmon and Robert Bowers admitted. O.R.; A.B. 1747, October 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Charles Gorwood passed. O.R.; P.L. Brother John Salmon passed and Brother John Rowe admitted. O.R. ; A.B. 1747, November 3, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. John Conally (Conolly, Connally), Hugh Hardgrove, and Sampson Hodge made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 194 1747, November 11, Boston. ,Sl y/uuh" f, ,8\T'JTl Meeting of the First Lodge. Letter of October 6, 1747, from Governor Belcher read and recorded. Jfll io 'gHriosI'^ O.R.;A.B. .a.O 1 Mass. 392. , ,, ,„, 1883 Mass. 163. The Builder for August, 1915, p. 176. • , .,, Si 1747, November 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Alexander Mal- colm passed and admitted. v/oVl ,r, ../nalio . O.K. 5 P.L.; A.B. .ogix.'J orfJ io ^^niitnoM .a.O ' 1747, December 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. ' ' ' ' ' ' " - ' \ OR-AR'"' '■ ■ ■n',] .fnU io ■gnicl!)r)M ' ■^^-- l"Mis.'9."^.-'' ' '"-" -*'!>«. ,,l,oH.,..oriT .ci.A .I.M ;.JLO 1747, December 23, Boston. u'ldsV Meeting of the First Lodge. Election, ij John Husk (Huske) made. f.S.O O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1747/8, January 13. Boston. '"'■' '" ""' '"'^' Meeting of the First Lodge. Rev. Alexander Malcolm, Capt. Aeneas Mackay (McKay), Samuel Levins, Thomas ,Newton, and Samuel Stone ("Master of the House") made. ,,,,„ O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 195 1747/8, January 15, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1747/8, January 21, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1747/8, January 25, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1747/8, January 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. William Norris, Thomas Bogle, and Pat. Montgomery (Montgomerie) made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1747/8, February 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B. 1747/8, February 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Jonathan Dwight and James Abererombie made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1747/8, February 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Paul Binney made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 196 1747/8, March 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brother John Husk (Huske) raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1747/8, March 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1747/8, March 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Benjamin Smithers made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1748, April 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brother Andrew Mc- Kenzie raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1748, April 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1748, April 21, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1748, April 27. Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1748, May 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 197 1748, May 11, Boston. .t lii:: >[? Meeting of i the First Lodge. Jeremiah (Jeremy) Grid- ley and Belshr (Belthar) Bayard made. fj.s?'- (3'A?.siU O.R.; P.L.; A.B. .H.A ;.a.^ :M.O «'-r M ih'Uilf!. A Ti-TT 1748, May 25, Boston. .,, ,^ ., ■ \,- Meeting of the First Lodge. . r , . rr /-> O.R. ; A.B. .I'Qi-'.oii MS. if)tnM ,8 Ti-Tt 1748, June 3,?*^ ai"'"!.™^ Boston. 'i''l '"'^ "' ii.iii^J')]/: Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. '' ^'^ ; .3 * O.R. ; A.B. .uoi.^v, i i.iqA y.i-U 1748, June 8, Boston. ,. . . ^, Meeting of the First Lodge. r < r . st ( i O.R.; A.B. .1(1) moH' :"i InqL ^.t*! 1748, June 22, Boston. ' "''■' ' --'-.ol/: Meeting of the First Lodge. Sidney George and Capt. John James made. .nqk .''tTf. O.R.; P.L.; A.B.,Z .(ll),oiu^t'(o'l 1748, July 1, Boston. ^q Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. O.R.;A.B. ■^""■'"-'•' ■'- "'^"^ '^'^ 1748, July 13, Boston. •9-/ ' ^ Meeting of the First Lodge. , {Brothers Nich,ol^ Ferritor and Thomas Vavasour admitted. aislHK'M adr u; Lunt')')K O.R.; P.L.; A.B. a.A:.a.O 198 1748, July 27, Boston. j,|- .,.dM',fqo8 Hi-?/ Meeting of the First Lodge, j Capt. Michael Buttler O.K.; P.L.; A.B. ,, ' '-oH .85 -/r,doiy.-tc) ■;..'; .Hi-TJ 1748, August 5, Boston. m^l erit ip sjnitay)/. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. .3. A ^M.O O.K. ; A.B. 1748, August 10, i.qmsH Boston. ujoruaJTO'i Meeting of the First Lodge. ysil.o.l grfj- Jo ^ohtosM O.R. ;A.B. .9f>wfli (no" I) /lol 1748, August 24, Boston. '^'^ Meeting of the First Lodge. ^^' .' 'iodoioO .8i-Tt O.K.; A.B. -f^-i^ 'Js-rsi^fiM silt io 'Sirirtagt/L .a.^\ ;.>T,0 1748, August 31, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. »''''' ^o'-"* •i^*'" Meeting of the Lodge. "Admitted Masons to the Fel- low Craft, Viz: .toJj- HI Cap. Brother Henry Barnsley -^ ;.ll. '< ; il.O Brother Smith X)o -rfjifoloO .?.J-TJ. Brother Michael Henry Palscal uomaiio'i Brother Gardner .aoiiot -robod eri.t lo sc.if-ioM Brother Wallis JT.O Brother Jenness" O.lv. .abflm TOl/i IK ^RIIoL riiiboJ i»-si'H. f^ifJ io mirj'i'»M 1748, September 2, jA ■ Boston. ;ryl.(a .mBilltW yi9i(:to-ia Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. 88«q Jjrfu lj9:tt(ml)i; i. -/,; O.R.; A.B. a. A . . J1 ; .S.O 199 1748, September 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1748, September 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.E. ; A.B. 1748, September 29, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Messrs. Campble and Eiehard Ion (I 'on) made. O.K. 1748, October 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1748, October 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother William Dalton admitted. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1748, October 20, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Election. O.R. 1748, October 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Jonathan Fuller made, Brothers William EUery admitted, Andrew Ramsey (Ram- say) admitted and passed. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 200 1748, November 3, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Nathaniel Wheelwright made and passed. O.R. 1748, November 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1748, November 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1748, November 17, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Bar'w (Bartho.) Svere, Fran's Baulos, and William Eoss made. O.E.; P.L.; A.B. 1748, November 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother David Little John admitted. O.E.; P.L.; A.B. 1748, December 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.E. ; A.B. 1748, December 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.E. ; A.B. 1 Mass. 9. 201 1748, December Id, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. Election. O.R. 1748, December 27, Boston. Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. O.K. of First Lodge. 1748, December 28. Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1748/9, January 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. Brothers Andrew Ramsey (Ramsay), Belthar Bayard, Aenneas Mc- Kay, William Day, and Jona. Dwight raised. O.R.;P.L.; A.B. 1748/9, January 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1748/9, January 19, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1748/9, January 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 202 1748/9, February 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1748/9, February 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Benjamin Stoddard, Peter McTaggart, and Elias D 'Larue made. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1748/9, February 16, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge. O.R. 1748/9, February 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1883 Mass. 164. 1748/9, March 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 1748/9, March 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1748/9, March 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. 203 1749, April 5, Boston. Meeting of Auditing Committee of the Masters' Lodge. A.B. 1749, April 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brother Thomas Pear- son raised. O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1749, April 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Hugh McKay ad- mitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1749, April 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K.; A.B. 1749, May 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1749, May 10, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. James H. Ewing (Euing) made. Brother Robert Gardner admitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1749, May 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 204 1749, June 2, Boston. "Being Masters' Lodge night; Adjourned on Account of the House being taken up by the General Court." O.E. 1749, June 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.K. ; A.B. 1749, June 24, Boston. Celebration of the Festival. There is no record of this celebration, but the First Lodge appointed Stewards there- for at its meeting on June 14, and there is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts an original letter in the handwriting of Charles Pelham, Secretary, signed by him and by the Master and Wardens of the First Lodge recommending Brother Robert Jenkins to the Master, "Wardens and Brethren of any Lodge in London, and which is dated "From the Lodge in Boston N. Bngld. held June 24th A.D. 1749." 1 Mass. 395. 1749, June 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. "With this meeting the known records of this Lodge begin. It is evident, however, that it was not its first meeting. 1 O.M.L.P. 82. 205 In this connection it is interesting again to note the ostrieh-like perspicacity with which some Pennsylvania Masonic historians view facts, and the utterly reckless way in which they make statements and claims. In a volume written by Brother Sachse, the Librarian of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and compiled at the request of the Grand Master (1906), the claim is made that this record book of Tun Tavern Lodge is "the oldest American Masonic minute book known. ' ' Benjamin Franklin as a Free Mason, 85. It has, however, been common knowledge for many years that the original minute books of the Masters' Lodge in Boston, beginniag December 22, 1738; of the First Lodge in Boston, beginning December 27, 1738, and of the First Lodge in Portsmouth, N.H., beginning October 31, 1739, all of which I have personally examined, are in their proper custody and available for inspection. 1749, July 3, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, July 5, PhUadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. John Ord and John Slydorn (Schleydhorn) made. Brother Hugh Wright passed, and Brother John Eve raised and admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, July 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. Brother Jonathan Fuller raised. O.R. ; A.B. 206 1749, July 10, Boston — Pennsylvania. Provincial Grand Master Oxnard of North America ap- pointed Benjamin Franklin Provincial Grand Master for Pennsylvania. The Picture of Philadelphia, etc., etc. (1811) 290. 1888 Mass. 155. 1903 Mass. 49. 1906 Mass. 90. See also 1734/5, February 21; 1738, June 24; 1741, June 24, supra. 1749, July 12, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers Phillips and Stephen Vidal admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 82, 100. 1749, July 26, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Samuel Massey, Paul Doux- saint, and Lewis Peach made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1749, August 2, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. John Fisher made, Brothers Foster and Thomas Blake passed, and Hugh "Wright raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 207 1749, August 4, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brothers John Rae and Samuel Levens raised. P.L.; O.R.; A.B. 1749, August 5, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Three Brethren dis- charged from membership. 1 O.M.L.P. 83. 1749, August 9, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.K. ; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Election. Brothers John Ord and Thomas Blake admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 83, 100. 1749, August 16, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Edward Hemlin and Flanegan made. Brother Walter Murray passed. I O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, August 23, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Robert Anderson passed. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. 1 O.M.L.P. 83. 208 1749, August 29, Philadelphia. ' Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge at which it was voted that a petition be sent to Benjamin Franklin, Pro. G.M. of Pennsylvania by appointment of Pro. G.M. Oxnard of North America, to grant the Lodge a Deputation under his sanction. Dr. William Parker made. 1 O.M.L.P. 84, 100. 1749, September 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.E. ; A.B. 1749, September 5, Philadelphia. First meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge under the Deputation granted Franklin by Oxnard, and a revival of the earlier St. John's Lodge under that Deputation. The Picture of Philadelphia, etc., etc., (1811) 288-292. IV Gould 239. On the records of the Grand Lodge at Boston for April 10, 1752, we find : "For the Lodge att Philadelphia Bro'' McDaniel ap- peared and paid for their Constitution 31 , , 10 , , 0" 1 Mass 20. 1749, September 11, Philadelphia. Brothers Murray, Phillips, Edward Hemlin, Dr. William Parker, William Mason, and John Ord passed. Brothers John Slydorn and Flanegan passed and admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 84, 100. 209 1749, September 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1883 Mass. 163. 1749, September 27, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge.- John Simes made. Brother Capt. Richard Savage passed. 1 O.M.L.P. 84, 100. 1749, October 4, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Capt. James Whyte made. Brother John Simes Passed and Brothers Thomas Blake and Wasdale raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, October 6, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R. ; A.B. 1749, October 11, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Henry Leddell, Saml. Ca- lef, Benj. Badger, and Capts. John Bennett and Benj. Clif- ford made. Brothers John Leverett and William Bpps passed, Edmund Quincy and Henry Bowers admitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. In the original records of the Lodge this is the first time that the word "Passed" has been used in connection with 210 the Fellow Craft Degree. In all previous incidents, al- though the Pelham List (written later) has used the word "Passed," the original record has used the phrases "Raised Fellow Craft," or "made Fellow Craft." 1749, October 12, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Capt. Vina Leacroft passed. Brother Capt. James Whyte passed and raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, October 25, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 1749, October 26, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Meeting of the Lodge on board the British Frigate America of fifty-four guns, then building at Portsmouth. Mr. Farr made and passed. Mr. Kipling made. O.R. 1749, November 1, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Enas Batter, John Boude, and John Bruliet made. Brothers John Ord and William Mason raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, November 3, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 211 1749, November 8, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. James Thompson and Capt. James Bruce made. Brothers Peter Oliver and John Indi- got admitted. O.R.; P.L. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Bnas Batter passed. Brother Foster, Flanegan, and Capt. Michael James passed and raised. Brother Capt. James Whyte admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, November 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother John Huston ad- mitted. O.K. ; P.L. ; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother John Bruliet passed. One member was fined two shillings for "swearing two Oaths." Another, one shilling sixpence for improperly- addressing the Master. 1 O.M.L.P. 84. 1749, November 29, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Mr. Flanegan made and passed. Brother John Boude passed. Brother Michael James admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 212 1749, December 1, Boston. Meeting of the Masters ' Lodge. Brothers Alexander fioss, William Epps, and John Bennett raised. O.R. ; P.L. ; A.B. 1749, December 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Another meeting of the Lodge on the Frigate America. Brothers Smith, Pascal, "Wallace, Jenness, and Gampble raised. O.R. 1749, December 6, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers "Walter Mur- ray, Bnas Batter, and John Bruliet raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 100. 1749, December 11, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Another meeting of the Lodge on board the Frigate Ainerica. O.R. 1749, December 13, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. "William Shute, Frank- lin Manny, and Capt. Thomas Glentworth made. Capt. Richard Harris made and passed. Brother Falkner (Falckner) admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 101. 213 1749, December 22, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Jacob Tuthill, Martin Beker, Roscow Sweeny, and Capt. Gilbert Faulkner made. Samuel Wells "raised F.C." O.K.; P.L.; A.B. 1749, December 23, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Capts. Jenkins and Tege made. 1 O.L.M.P. 101. 1749, December 24, Boston — Newport. Pro. 6.M. Oxnard granted a Constitution for a Lodge to be held at Newport, E.I. L.M.R. 482. 1749, December 27, infra. 1749, December 27, Boston. The Grand Lodge celebrated the Festival by attending Christ Church where a sermon was preached by Rev. Broth- er Charles Brockwell, after which they repaired in proces- sion to the Royal Exchange Tavern "Where was an ele- gant Dinner provided, at which were several Gentlemen of Note, besides the Fraternity. ' ' 1 Mass. 9. Boston Evening Post for January 1, 1749/50, P-t. Boston Post Boy for January 1, 1749/50, P-t. O.R. of First Lodge. 1883 Mass. 165. 214 Rev. Brother Brockwell's sermon entitled "Brotherly Love Recommended" was printed and published in Boston immediately by John Draper in Newbury Street. An or- iginal copy thereof is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts containing the vote of thanks to the preacher passed by the Grand Lodge. A burlesque in doggerel of the procession of the Grand Lodge on this day was printed and circulated in 1750 and reprinted in 1795. One of each edition/ is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It is reprinted in 1 Mass. 473. In the evening there was also a meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 19 M.F.M. 51. The Boston Weekly News Letter for January 1, 1749/50 contains Draper's advertisement of Brockwell's sermon. P-t. On January 9, 1749/50, the First Lodge paid 50 Pounds for the printing of the sermon. A.B. Newport, Rhode Island. The First Lodge at Newport held its first meeting as is shown by the following paragraph which appeared in the Boston Weekly News Letter for January 1, 1749/50: "On the 27th ult. being the Peftival of St. John the Evangelist the firft regular Lodge of free and accepted Malons was congre- gated and held at Newport on Ehode Ifland; by Virtue of a Warrant given them by the Grand Mafter of North- America. " P-t. 215 And the Boston Post Boy for January 15, 1749/50, con- tained the same item. P-t. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Election. 1 O.L.M.P. 84. 1749/50, January 3, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Tege passed and Brother Richard Harris raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 85, 101. 1749/50, January 5, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Election. O.R.; A.B. 1749/50, January 9, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Jenkins passed and raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 101. Boston. Meeting of Auditing Committee of the First Lodge. A.B. 1749/50, January 10, Boston. Meeting of First Lodge. Joseph Gorham and John Brown made. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1749/50, January 24, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. O.R.; A.B. 216 Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Capt. John Austin made and passed. Brothers William Shute and Thomas Glentworth passed. Brother Tege raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 101. 1749/50, January 26, Boston. Meeting of Auditing Committee of the Masters' Lodge. A.B. 1749/50, February 2, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brothers Bdmd. Quincy, Benja. Clifford, Henry Bowers, John Leverett, Robt. Jen- kins, John Brown, and Benj. Stoddard raised. O.R.;P.L.; A.B. 1749/50, February 8, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers John Slydorn and John Boude raised. 1 O.M.L.P. 85, 100. 1749/50, February 12, Boston. The Boston Evening Post contains an advertisement of the Constitutions of the Freemasons to be sold by the pub- lishers of the paper. P-t. 1749/50, February 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. James Steward (Stewart), WUliam Tyler, and Nathaniel Gilman made. O.R.jP.L.; A.B. 217 1749/50, February 15, Boston.1 w Meeting* of the Grand Lodge for the ConstituMon of the Second Lodge in Boston, to be held at the Royal Exchange Tavern on the third Thursday in every month. ' ' r • 1 Mass. 9. cor 1a On the O.L. this Lodge was first numbered 141. ..- p > -, ^ . .MA. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. ,1; ciHuitKi ficXdhlt i!s9 1 O.M.L.P. 85. > '?i'ra.t?.fi¥ jii'r'tu'ani*--]/ 1749/50, February 28, Boston. ...totJI arfoL ,8ciii Meeting of the First Lodge. i ;i ,2.0 O.E.; A.B. 1749/50, March 1, '•'^Philadelphiar'"'^ ^'^T lo i^ixi1^«l£ Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. ■'^'"^""'" '^^^'^^^ '"'"' '''"*^' 1 O.M.L.P. 85. -^^ '^'' ''J^-MO I 1749/50, March 2, . Boston.^ , „ ^ „ _,„, Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. ' „ ,.. ' i, n ^ ,,.ai.' . ari.t 10 gfroitotrfgr-'i sriJ O.R.;A.B. ,_ , ;^ 1749/50, March 5, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Anthony Duchee made. Brothers FranMin Manny passed and Thomas Glentworth and William Shute raised. ; Brother John Boude admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 100, 101. .rf.O 218 1749/50, March 7, iil'ti Boston. (!ij;ivi ban'ii) ]■ !' Meeting of the Grand Lodge for the Constitution of the Third Lodge in Boston, to be held at the "White Horse Tavern on the first and third Wednesday in every month. -o'i'i i-!A 1 Mass. 9. Bw aii OST.i i 's-HimwToM. », iiol.) ;, j'jsol ij'r'i ffrjjriv/^- _, ., , ^^ . tc 'lainiiM b''TiO Ji>:;jni7 Philadelphia. , Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers William Shute and Thomas Glentworth admitted. , 1 O.M.L.P. 86. „tK(>y. M- dmuM flcAikY: 1749/50, March 13, Philadelphia. '^ '"*'' '*'* S'lft-'sl/- William Allen exhibited a patent signed by Lord Byron, the Grand Master of England, appointing him Provincial Grand Master for Pennsylvania. <| -, i This being from the fountain head and from an authprity superior even to Oxnard's, was at once recognized by Franklin and his associates of the then existing Provincial Grand Lodge. Franklin became Deputy Grand Master. Those who were his officers under Oxnard's Deputation all remained in line but like himself demoted one station. Word of this and some similar matters having come to Boston the Brethren there, after long and careful consid- eration, prepared a remonstrance on October 7, 1751 to the Grand Master, of England.,] y,,i,o'£i()-iji-) oiit Ryisiqcao-. aiiiT iHfij o:i loi-i l.Mass,, 396. nioJp.^W oiit B0-,tf>Mic.. h .iiiw iaeve 0' '^&s 119! 1914 Mass. 266. Facsimile. la-ge' nli io ami') The four Lodges in Boston very properly pointed out that Oxnard's Commission granted by Lord Ward, Grand Master of England,, September 23, 1743, g;«., made him 219 "Provincial Grand Master of Nortli America." (1 Mass. 8.) and that, therefore, Deputations for the Provinces here should issue from him in the future as they had in the past. When Franklin visited the Grand Lodge at Lon- don on November 17, 1760, he was recognized as "Pro- vincial Grand Master of Philadelphia" which is at least a recognition of Oxaard's Commission to him. Records of "English Grand Lodge. 1749/50, March 14, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Hugh Purdie made. Rev. Brother Samuel Quincy passed. O.R.; P.L. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother John Reily admitted. 1 O.L.M.P. 86. 1749, Nova Scotia. During this year a Lodge was Constituted at Halifax, Nova Scotia, by the Grand Lodge of England. L.M.R. 92. Note. This completes the chronological record of every Masonic event which concerns the Western Hemisphere prior to the close of the legal year 1749 of which I have been able to learn. That the record may be brought down to the beginning of the first bound volume of contemporaneous records of 220 the Grand Lodge at Boston (i.e., written at the time of the events recorded) , the following five dates are added. 1750, March 28, Boston. Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother "Walter Logan ad- mitted. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. One member was ex- cluded from the Lodge "for aiding and assisting in mak- ing two Brothers Irregular. ' ' Brother Hampton admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 86. 1750, April 4, Philadelphia. Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother William Gamble passed and raised. Brother Franklin Manny raised and admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 86. 1750, April 7, Boston. Meeting of the Masters' Lodge. Brothers Gilbert Faulk- ner and Eev. Samuel Quincy raised. O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 1750, April 11, Boston. Meeting of the First JJodge. O.K.; A.B. 1883 Mass. 164. 221 , Philadelphia. Meeting of Tim Tavern Lodge. Peter Hudson made. Brother Archdall admitted. 1 O.M.L.P. 86. 1750, April 13, Boston. "With the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge this day, its continuous contemporaneous record commences in the handwriting of Charles Pelham who was Secretary of the First Lodge as well as Grand Secretary. O.R. 1 Mass. 10. 1900 Mass. 127. From that day to this, Massachusetts has never been without an active Provincial or Independent Grand Lodge keeping official records which are now in the Masonic Temple in Boston. CONCLUSION. For the statements of fact hereinbefore contained, the original sources of information have been examined and little probative value has been given to the text of any author later than Preston (1772) except only where he has actually quoted the language of the authority upon which his statement has been made. I have assumed the correct- ness of the actual quotations in Mackey's and McClena- chan's Histories of Freemasonry in South Carolina and in New York, respectively, in Sachse's Benjamin Franklin as a Freemason and Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania, and in a few other works cited. 222 I confess to bias in favor of the position of MassachTi- setts, but have nevertheless tried to be accurate and fair tpward all other jurisdictions and to view all matters dis- passionately and judicially., The result is, but to confirm the premiership of Massachusetts in the Masonic history of the Western Hemisphere. In the following respects, Massachusetts is the Senior Kasonic Jurisdiction of America: 1. The first Freemason definitely known to be in the Western Hemisphere was Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1705. 2. The earliest use in America, in writing or in print, of the word "Freemason," so far as now known, was in the Boston News Letter for January 5, 1718/9. 3. The first Lodge meetings in America of which we may speak with any degree of definiteness were held in King's Chapel, Boston, in 1720. 4. The first known American newspaper account re- lating to Freemasonry was published in Boston, May 25, 1727. 5. The first known Warrant, Deputation, Commission, or other authority, issuing from the Grand Lodge of Eng- land or its Grand Master (or from any other Masonic or- ganization or officer, for that matter) to be exercised in America was that (April 13, 1733) by virtue of which Henry Price founded a Provincial Grand Lodge in Bos- ton, July 30, 1733. 223 6. The first particular Lodge in America to be duly constituted was the First Lodge in Boston, July 30, 1733. 7. The first Lodge in America to be registered by the Grand Lodge of England in the ofiicial list of Lodges was the First Lodge in Boston. 8. The first Masonic officer in the "Western World to have jurisdiction over the whole of North America was Henry Price, whose authority was extended thus broadly in August, 1734. 9. The first exercise by any Masonic authority in Amer- ica of the right to grant provincial Masonic powers was the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as "Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Pennsylvania," February 21, 1734/5, by Henry Price, "Grand Master of His Majesty's Dominions in North America." 10. The first independent Grand Lodge in America was Massachusetts Grand Lodge, which organized and declared its independence on March 8, 1777, 1 Mass. 259, 372, 436. 1870 Mass. 27. 1870 Supreme Council, 33°, N.M.J., 15-21. 1915 Mass. 280-282. See also 1877 Mass. 1 to 148, et cit. Prior to 1733, there had been meetings of Brethren in Boston, Philadelphia, and elsewhere in the Colonies. Before 1721, such meetings had been regular. After 1721 they were neither regular nor duly-constituted until that of July 30, 1733. Therefore, in studying organized, duly-constituted 224 Freemasonry in America, it more than ever seems certain that Henry Price was, as he said himself, the -founder of DULY CONSTITUTED MASONRY in AMERICA and that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is the first among her equals of the Western Hemisphere. Note. Proofs of this address were submitted in November, 19 IC, to every Grand Secretary in the Western Hemisphere and in the English-speaking virorld elsewh-ere. Copies were also sent to those who were known to the writer, in England and North America, to be Masonic historians, about two hundred i^i all. Requests w^ere made in each case for suggestions, criticisms, or additions. No one has called attention to a single additional item. During the four months which have elapsed before publication, many helpful sug- gestions have been received. The author has made quite a number of changes in consequence thereof and hereby extends his acknowledgment and thanks. — M. M. J. ^2•2r^