GMJAbbot
Contents
JOHN ABBOT (1776-1854)
Junior Grand Warden, 1813
Senior Grand Warden, 1814
Grand Master, 1824-1826; 1834.
TERM
NOTES
MEMORIAL
From Proceedings, Page V-510:
Resolved. That we have received, with profound grief, intelligence of the sudden death of the R. W. and Hon. John Abbot, Past Grand Master of this Grand Lodge. He died at his residence in Westford, on Sunday the 30th, of April last, after an illness of about two hours, in the 78th year of his age. Thus, another link connecting the past with the present generation has been broken. Thus another star, ever diffusing a mild and cheering radiance, has sunk below the horizon to rise again no more.
Resolved. That we will cherish the memory of our departed Brother for the many virtues which adorned his life and character; as a friend he was true and trusty — as a counsellor safe and wise, and as a christian, may we not apply to him the language of the poet:
"Calmly he looked on either life, and here
Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear."
As a Freemason, the services which he rendered to the Fraternity were many and various. As Grand Master, as a Trustee of the Grand Charity Fund from its establishment to the close of his life, and as an officer in many other Masonic institutions, he devoted his time and his talents for the benefit of the poor, the unfortunate, the widow and the orphan. He discharged the duties of the numerous offices in which he was placed, with great ability, courtsey[sic] and fidelity. When the cloud of antimasonry arose and seemed to portend a storm, and it was deemed desirable to place at the helm a pilot of tried skill, integrity, firmness, and discretion, all eyes were turned to our departed friend, and although he had previously occupied the Chair for the regular term of three years, he was, again elected Grand Master, as it were by acclamation.
Resolved. That while he sustained the office of Grand Master an event occurred which will be forever memoriable in the annals of the Craft; we allude to the ceremony of laying, in Masonic form, the corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument on the 17th. June 1825.
That grand and beautiful ceremony was performed by him, assisted by officers of the Grand Lodge, in the presence of six thousand Masons and tens of thousands of other citizens. We were honored on that occasion by the presence of a Masonic Brother ardently attached to the Order, known and distinguished throughout the civilized world, and beloved and revered by the whole people of America; we refer to the veteran General, La Fayette. He visited the Grand Lodge on the morning of that day; and on Bunker Hill, robed in Masonic regalia, he accompanied the Grand Master to the place where the stone was to be laid, and stood by the side of him during the ceremony. That day was full of interest to other classes of the community as well as Masons, The reappearance of La Fayette after an absence of more than forty years - the presence of a large number of revolutionary soldiers, his companions in arms—the oration by Webster— the Masonic and military display — the gigantic procession, — all these presented a cluster of attractions and made the occasion one of unsurpassed brillancy [sic] and grandeur.
Resolved. That our departed Brother by his virtues and talents had secured the confidence and respect of those classes of society whose good opinion is of any value. He was often elected by his fellow-citizens to places of public trust and responsibility, and had been called by them to a seat in the higher branch of the Legislature of this Commonwealth.
Resolved. That as a token of our high respect for the memory of the deceased, the altar and jewels of the Grand Lodge be dressed in mourning for the term of three months.
Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the son of the deceased, he being the only surviving member of the family."
From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIII, No. 8, June 1854, p. 234:
It becomes our painful duty to record the death of another of the aged Past Grand Masters of the G. Lodge of this Commonwealth. The Hon. John Abbot died at his residence, in Westford, on Saturday the 29th April last, aged 77 years. The deceased held the office of Senior Grand Warden in 1813, and in 1823, was elected Grand Master, which office he held for the Constitutional period of three years. During this term he officiated at the laying of the Corner Stone of the Bunker-Hill Monument, in the presence of Gen. Lafayette, a numerous assemblage of the distinguished men of the country, and about six thousand Masons. The oration, by Mr. Webster, and the imposing ceremonies of that occasion, are still fresh in the memories of all who had the good fortune to hear the first and witness the latter. It was a day and an occasion to be remembered.
Soon after this event, the antimasonic persecution began, and raged with mad violence for ten years. During the whole of this period Brother Abbot stood as a faithful sentinel on the outer walls of the citadel. He was always present where duty called. In 1834, when the storm had reached the height of its fury, he was again elected Grand Master, and assumed the direction of the affairs of the Craft, then in a depressed and embarrassing condition; but which, through an indomitable firmness that nothing could shake, and an energy which nothing could tire, he restored to a degree of order, and placed on a footing, the good effects of which were soon manifest in the revival and renewed prosperity of the Lodges throughout the jurisdiction. He resigned the office at the expiration of the year for which he was elected, but continued his regular attendance on the Grand Lodge, and to watch over its interests, and aid in its government by his counsels, and his services, when required. The Masonic Fra ternity of Massachusetts owe him a large debt of gratitude. He was an able, true and faithful Brother,—a wise counsellor, and a safe leader. He was one of the trustees of the Grand Charity Fund at the time of his decease,—a place which, we believe, he had held since 18r6, when the fund was established by act of incorporation.
The deceased was in 1816, Secretary of the Gen. Grand Chapter of the United States, and G. High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts. As a man he was universally beloved by all who had the happiness to know him intimately. He was a member of the Middlesex Bar, and had been in the Senate of the State.
SPEECHES
BEFORE ST. PAUL LODGE, OCTOBER 1810
From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIX, No. 8, June 1870, Page 233:
Pepperell, April 12, 1870.
Br. C. W. Moore, — I send you a copy of an Address, delivered before the Members of St. Paul's Lodge, October 29,1810, by R. W. John Abbot.
Brethren, — As the time has arrived when I propose to decline a re-election to the office of Master, you will indulge me a moment, in referring you to the institution of our Lodge. The time passed in adverting to any useful establishment with which we are connected, is generally well employed. A comparison of what we have been with what we are, leads to the correction of errors into which we may have imperceptibly fallen. It tends in every charitable institution to strengthen the ties which unite its members. It is unnecessary to analyze the principles of our associations : you have frequently seen them delineated by the pencil of a master. The picture presented to your view has been a finished production of the best affections of human nature. The exercise of these affections was designed by the Great Creator to afford the highest pleasure ; and without them, our journey through life would be a night of discord and misery. What I now intend is only to give you a sketch of the formation, progress, and present state of St. Paul's Lodge. From such a view we may derive new inducements, not only to promote the good of the great masonic family, but to render this member of it particularly deserving the approbation of the jurisdiction from which we received our Charter.
The first regular meeting of St. Paul's Lodge was on the thirteenth day of February, A.L. 5797. There were present, at this meeting, twenty brethren, who had associated as members, and four visitors, — less than one-third the present number of members. Though the laborers in this part of the Masonic Vineyard were comparatively few, yet they soon performed much labor, for, on the twenty-seventh of February, the time the first Work was done, seven brethren were Crafted, nine Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Masons, and two admitted members. The goodness of their Work is evidenced in the persons of some now respectable Masons. The inconvenience of attending other Lodges, from their distance, was, perhaps, the immediate cause of the formation of St. Paul's Lodge. That it has flourished and become a tree of fair fruit, I think we may venture to appeal as well to our own Records as to those persons of the Masonic Fraternity with whom we are particularly connected. From the establishment of this Lodge, during thirteen years, 166 persons have been initiated as Entered Apprentices, 68 of whom were initiated by the R.W. James Brazer, 33 by W. Oliver Prescott, 15 by R. W. Timothy Bigelow, 5 by W. Wallace Little, 21 by W. James Prescott, 10 by W. John Walton, 5 by W. Caleb Butler, and 9 by myself. 166 have passed the Degree of Fellow Craft: 71 by James Brazer, 36 by Oliver Prescott, 12 by Timothy Bigelow, 25 by James Prescott, 2 by John Walton, 9 by Caleb Butler, and 10 by myself. 154 have been raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason: 65 by James Brazer, 23 by Oliver Prescott, 13 by Timothy Bigelow, 21 by James Prescott, 14 by John Walton, 7 by Caleb Butler, 11 by myself. 77 persons have been admitted as members: while James Brazer was Master, 23; Oliver Prescott, 16; Timothy Bigelow, 7; Wallace Little, 5; James Prescott, 12; John Walton, 6; Caleb Butler, 5; and myself, 4. The number of members, as they this day stand on the Lodge books, is 73; from which, taking twelve names of persons who have not lately attended, and who probably do not consider themselves members, we have 51. The number of brethren whom you have appointed to preside in St. Paul's Lodge, is nine.
They are the persons whom I have named, together with the Worshipful John Loring, who appears to have resigned soon after his election. On this Annual Meeting, as well devoted to the cultivation of the social feelings as to the performance of the duties of Masonry and business of the Lodge, we witness with pleasure the presence of four Past Masters. One of our Past Masters, the Most Worshipful Timothy Bigelow, has repeatedly been chosen to preside in the Grand Lodge of this Commonwealth. Can we not with pride ask, has any Lodge more or better jewels than St. Paul's? Where we have, in our assemblies, the presence and patronage of characters who are honored and esteemed by the world, we may pronounce the state of Masonry to be flourishing. Charity is one of the great pillars of the Masonic Edifice. To be extensively useful as well as respectable, every charitable institution should have funds. Without them, the practicable exercise of this virtue cannot, or will not, be extensive. The nominal amount of the funds of St! Paul's Lodge is perhaps as large as that of other country Lodges which have been as recently established. Some part, however, of the funds of our Lodge, is not safely secured. A part, perhaps, can never be collected. The evidence of a part of them consists in mere loose receipts not bearing interest. Is it not consistent with the strict principles of Masonry, that brothers, who neglect to renew the debts, or properly secure the sums they owe to the Lodge, should, after being admonished by repeated request from the Treasurer, be reminded of their duty in some other manner? Is there any reason that one Brother should pay the Lodge his money as soon as it is due, and another, who has received credit, considers himself absolved from all obligation of ever paying? Committees have been appointed on this subject. It still requires the particular attention of the Lodge. A careful concurrence of the greater part of the members — I do not say unanimous — will alone promote the interest of the Lodge, by procuring a safe investment of its moneys. From our Records, there appears to have been made, before the present year, but six Reports of Committees, on the State of the Funds, since the establishment of the Lodge. In the year 5797, the amount of them was reported to be $305.05 ; in 5803, $286.21; in 5804, $251.48; in 5806, $646.07; in 5808, $651.60; in 5809, $672.84; and, by "the Report of the present year, their amount appears to be $747.61 : so that, since the year 5806, the funds have gradually increased. If this sum could at any time be realized, and the Treasurer regularly receive the annual interest, the Lodge would soon have a disposable fund to command, so as to pour the oil of health into wounds that can never be cured by the hand of private charity.
Brethren, — should my past conduct have so far received your approbation as that you might again be willing to place me in the chair, I must still decline the honor. I am compelled to do this because my private avocations, with other obligations, require, for the present, a respite from the active duties qf the Lodge. As Master, the principles of our Institution, which I have endeavored to represent not as composing the basis of a mere technical pursuit, but as forming a beautiful system, calculated to direct our conduct in life, by imprinting moral truth on the mind by means of appropriate emblems. To decline an election from any other cause than necessity, would illy requite the brethren for that respect and attention which it will ever be my pride and pleasure to acknowledge they have paid. At a future time, should the Lodge require my personal service, I shall cheerfully give it in any station the brethren may direct. Brethren, — the elections of St. Paul's Lodge have generally been made with harmouy and unanimity : hence it has held a high rank under this masonic jurisdiction. The same agreement in future will probably produce the same effect. Let us, then, make the only qualification for office : a virtuous, respectable character combined with masonic information. By continuing united, honoring the worthy, and cultivating, in the world as well as here, those social affections which are distinguishing features in the system of Masonry, we shall not only greatly promote the interest of St. Paul's, but advance that of the whole Fraternity. Our Lodge will thus continue a bright star in the constellation of Masonry, till the Great Architect of all shall close this and every human institution by opening in heaven a Lodge of happiness for the reception of faithful workmen.
A true copy.
Attest,
David Child, Secretary.
N.B Out of the 18 W. Masters who have preceded me, I am the only one left on the stage. I have occupied the chair six years, at two different times. I remember all of them. They were nature's noblemen! The "still small voice " says to me, " You must soon bite the dust."
Yours, in Masonic bonds,
Luther S. Bancroft.
CHARTERS GRANTED
1824-1826:
- 06/19/1824 Liberty, Beverly
- 06/19/1824 United Brethren, Marlborough
- 09/08/1824 Freedom, Woburn
- 09/08/1824 Eden, Ware
- 09/08/1824 Carmel, Warren
- 12/08/1824 Mount Hope, Fall River
- 06/08/1825 Orphan's Hope, Weymouth
- 06/08/1825 Orange, Orange
- 06/08/1825 Morning Sun, Ashfield
- 09/14/1825 Plymouth, Plymouth
- 09/14/1825 Bethel, Enfield
- 12/14/1825 Oxford, Oxford
- 12/14/1825 Grecian, Methuen
- 03/08/1826 Mount Ararat, Petersham
- 06/14/1826 Doric, Southbridge
- 06/14/1826 Clinton, Billerica
- 09/13/1826 Phoenix, Hanover
- 09/13/1826 Farmers, Sterling
1834:
None.
See the Attendance Summary page for information on charters surrendered in June 1834.
RULINGS
