Difference between revisions of "MassachusettsPortraits"

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PORTRAITS OF GRAND MASTERS AND OTHER PROMINENT MASONS

Beginning in 1854, the Grand Lodge began assembling portraits of its Grand Masters, as well as depictions of other prominent Masons from Massachusetts. The first committee reported on June 14, 1854 (Page V-513). "In the opinion of your committee, the proper place, most certainly, for the portraits of our Past Grand Masters is the East of that Grand Lodge, which, when they were still with us, their presence and their labors, so much adorned." The full-length portrait of George Washington, donated by Bro. Samuel Parkman, should be placed where "the latest and youngest made entered apprentice might the more be led to realize, and try to follow the almost perfect faithfulness of its unequalled original."

By vote of the Grand Lodge, a committee was appointed "to procure so far as may be found practicable, Portraits of the Past Grand Masters of this Grand Lodge." In December, 1854, the committee reported that they had secured portraits of Bartlett, Abbot, Russell, Peabody, Dean, Revere (a gift of his son James W. Revere), and Robinson, along with a bust of John Warren, provided by his son Dr. John Warren, and a bust of Robert Burns, a gift of Bro. George H. Child. At the Feast of St. John, 1854, newly-elected Grand Master Lewis presented the portrait of the recently retired Grand Master, George M. Randall.

The committee made its final report in December 1855, and reported the additional portraits of John Warren, Cutler, Soley, Jenkins, Thomas, Oliver, Fay, Dixwell, Flint, and Raymond, leaving only Bigelow and Crane absent. The committee also reported the acquisition of a portrait of Bro. Robert Shaw, the Brother who purchased the Temple in 1835, and of Rt. Wor. John B. Hammatt, a distinguished permanent member of Grand Lodge, who had served as Deputy Grand Master and in each of the Grand Wardens' seats. A number of these portraits were destroyed in the 1864 Winthrop House fire.

It was observed in June 1897 that the inventory of portraits of Past Grand Masters was complete other than Crane, for whom no likeness exists. (This statement might have been incorrect at the time).

A summary of portraits also appears in the Proceedings on Page 1882-171 and also on Page 1914-160.

PORTRAITS OF GRAND MASTERS OF ST. JOHN'S GRAND LODGE

PORTRAITS OF GRAND MASTERS OF MASSACHUSETTS GRAND LODGE

PORTRAITS OF GRAND MASTERS OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE

★ = Listed in the 1882 Proceedings inventory.
¶ = Lost in the Winthrop House Fire.
¶? = May have survived the Winthrop House Fire.

Edwin T. Billings Wikipedia entry