Difference between revisions of "GMPrice"

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=== NOTES ===
 
=== NOTES ===
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==== RECORDS OF THE GENERAL COURT, 1764-65 ====
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''From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 9, July 1861, Page 266:''
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''Mr. Editor:'' — You will remember that on our visit to Townsend, in 1857, we were told by Mr. William Wallace, the grandson of Henry Price, that the latter represented the town of Townsend in the General Court of Massachusetts previous to the Revolution. Having recently found leisure to examine the records of that body, I And that Mr. Price was such representative in the year 1764-5. Thus far in my examination of the records, I have not discovered that he served in that capacity during any other year. The town was not represented in the year following and during several years previous to that mentioned. As everything relating to the personal history of the distinguished individual in question is interesting, I have transcribed from.the records that portion of them in which his name is found. As will be observed, he is referred to usually by his military title of ''Major'', which he received, in 1733, when he was made cornet of the Governor's Troop. In 1764, he was sixty-seven years old.
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''June 9, 1764.''
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"A petition of James Read, late in the Service of the Province, representing his Sufferings, &c, and praying a Recompence.
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"Read and committed to Col. ''Bagley'', Mr. ''Folger'' and Major ''Price'', to consider and Report."
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''January 14, 1765.''
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"The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of James Reed of Lunenburg reported.
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Read,and accepted, and ''Ordered'', That the Sum of twelve Pounds be paid out of the Publick Treasury, to ''Sampson Stoddard'', Esq , for the Use of the Petitioner in full."
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"Sent up for Concurrence."
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''January 14, 1765.''
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"A Petition of ''Nathaniel Kellog'', in behalf of the inhabitants of a New Plantation called Hunt's Town, in County of Hampshire, praying that Part of their Taxes may be removed from them, and an equitable Proportion  put upon  ''Chesterfield'' and ''Charlemont'', for the Reasons mentioned.
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"Read (together with the Plan of the Lines of said ''Hunt's'' Town taken by Order of Court) and committed to Col. ''Powell'', Mr. ''Witt'', Major ''Price'', Mr. ''Farnham'' and Col. ''Powers'', to consider and make Report."
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''January 21, 1765.''
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"A Petition of ''Henry Negus'' of ''Dartmouth'', shewing, That he purchased of his Brother ''Jonathan Negus'', for the Sum of ''Nine Pounds fifteen shillings and eight Pence'', a certain Lot of Land in ''Dartmouth'' aforesaid; bat belore the said Deed was executed the said Jonathan died. He therefore prays the Administrator may be impowered to execute a Deed to him of said Land.
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"Read and committed to Mr. ''Spooner'', Mr. ''Farnham'' and Major ''Price'', to consider and Report."
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''January 29, 1765.''
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"''Gamaliel Bradford'', Esq., brought down the Petition of ''John Cummings'' and others, as entered June 14, 1764, and January 15, 1765, and referred, with the Report of a Committee of both Houses thereon.
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* Passed in Council, ''viz.'', In Council, January 27, 1765.
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* Read and non-concurred, and the House adhere to their own vote.
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* Sent up for Concurrence by Major ''Price'', Mr. ''Foster'' of Plymouth and Capt. ''King''.
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''February 1, 1765.''
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(On the following motion, the yeas and nays were ordered, and among the ''yeas" is the name of "Henry Price, Esq.")
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"On a motion made and seconded, the Question was put, ''Whether Ike Sum of Forty Pounds be granted and paid out of the public Treasury to the honorable Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., in Consideration of hit faithful Discharge of the important Trust reposed in him as Chief Justice, and for his further Encouragement therein.'' Resolved in the Affirmative."
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It is my intention to carry my inquiries further; to learn whether Mr. Price represented Townsend on any other year than that named, and ascertain whether or not he was a member of the General Court from Boston or Cambridge, in both of which places he appears to have resided.
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It will not be out of place to mention here that James Otis, Jr., was a member of the General Court in 1764, and that he was chosen ''speaker pro tem'', of that body, in consequence of the sickness of the speaker; also, that Andrew Belcher was the member from Milton, and was, during the year, elected to the Council lo 611 a vacancy therein. As is well known, Mr. Otis was a Mason and attended meetings of the Grand Lodge for many years with great regularity. It is probable that [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLABelcher Andrew Belcher] above referred to was the same who was the first Deputy Grand Master under Major Price, the first Grand Master, in America.
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'' J. T. H.''
  
 
=== BIOGRAPHY ===
 
=== BIOGRAPHY ===

Revision as of 18:10, 3 August 2013

HENRY PRICE 1697-1780

HenryPrice1932.jpg

First Provincial Grand Master; Grand Master of St. John's Grand Lodge, 1733-1737,1740-1743, 1754-1755, 1767-1768


TERM

1733 1734 1735 1736 1737

Note that Bro. Price assumed the chair as Grand Master pro tem several times between the terms of subsequent Grand Masters.

NOTES

RECORDS OF THE GENERAL COURT, 1764-65

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 9, July 1861, Page 266:

Mr. Editor: — You will remember that on our visit to Townsend, in 1857, we were told by Mr. William Wallace, the grandson of Henry Price, that the latter represented the town of Townsend in the General Court of Massachusetts previous to the Revolution. Having recently found leisure to examine the records of that body, I And that Mr. Price was such representative in the year 1764-5. Thus far in my examination of the records, I have not discovered that he served in that capacity during any other year. The town was not represented in the year following and during several years previous to that mentioned. As everything relating to the personal history of the distinguished individual in question is interesting, I have transcribed from.the records that portion of them in which his name is found. As will be observed, he is referred to usually by his military title of Major, which he received, in 1733, when he was made cornet of the Governor's Troop. In 1764, he was sixty-seven years old.

June 9, 1764.

"A petition of James Read, late in the Service of the Province, representing his Sufferings, &c, and praying a Recompence.

"Read and committed to Col. Bagley, Mr. Folger and Major Price, to consider and Report."

January 14, 1765.

"The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of James Reed of Lunenburg reported. Read,and accepted, and Ordered, That the Sum of twelve Pounds be paid out of the Publick Treasury, to Sampson Stoddard, Esq , for the Use of the Petitioner in full."

"Sent up for Concurrence."

January 14, 1765.

"A Petition of Nathaniel Kellog, in behalf of the inhabitants of a New Plantation called Hunt's Town, in County of Hampshire, praying that Part of their Taxes may be removed from them, and an equitable Proportion put upon Chesterfield and Charlemont, for the Reasons mentioned.

"Read (together with the Plan of the Lines of said Hunt's Town taken by Order of Court) and committed to Col. Powell, Mr. Witt, Major Price, Mr. Farnham and Col. Powers, to consider and make Report."

January 21, 1765.

"A Petition of Henry Negus of Dartmouth, shewing, That he purchased of his Brother Jonathan Negus, for the Sum of Nine Pounds fifteen shillings and eight Pence, a certain Lot of Land in Dartmouth aforesaid; bat belore the said Deed was executed the said Jonathan died. He therefore prays the Administrator may be impowered to execute a Deed to him of said Land.

"Read and committed to Mr. Spooner, Mr. Farnham and Major Price, to consider and Report."

January 29, 1765.

"Gamaliel Bradford, Esq., brought down the Petition of John Cummings and others, as entered June 14, 1764, and January 15, 1765, and referred, with the Report of a Committee of both Houses thereon.

  • Passed in Council, viz., In Council, January 27, 1765.
  • Read and non-concurred, and the House adhere to their own vote.
  • Sent up for Concurrence by Major Price, Mr. Foster of Plymouth and Capt. King.

February 1, 1765.

(On the following motion, the yeas and nays were ordered, and among the yeas" is the name of "Henry Price, Esq.")

"On a motion made and seconded, the Question was put, Whether Ike Sum of Forty Pounds be granted and paid out of the public Treasury to the honorable Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., in Consideration of hit faithful Discharge of the important Trust reposed in him as Chief Justice, and for his further Encouragement therein. Resolved in the Affirmative."

It is my intention to carry my inquiries further; to learn whether Mr. Price represented Townsend on any other year than that named, and ascertain whether or not he was a member of the General Court from Boston or Cambridge, in both of which places he appears to have resided.

It will not be out of place to mention here that James Otis, Jr., was a member of the General Court in 1764, and that he was chosen speaker pro tem, of that body, in consequence of the sickness of the speaker; also, that Andrew Belcher was the member from Milton, and was, during the year, elected to the Council lo 611 a vacancy therein. As is well known, Mr. Otis was a Mason and attended meetings of the Grand Lodge for many years with great regularity. It is probable that Andrew Belcher above referred to was the same who was the first Deputy Grand Master under Major Price, the first Grand Master, in America.

J. T. H.

BIOGRAPHY

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVI, No. 4, March 1857, Page 129:

The precise date of the first introduction of Freemasonry into America is not known. The earliest authentic record we have of its existence among us bears date 1733, though it was probably known and cultivated in several of the Colonies at a much earlier period. That there are no records in our archives of an earlier date than the year named, is fully accounted for by the circumstance that prior to the year 1717, Lodges were not required to keep records of their proceedings; nor were there then any Grand Lodges, or other governing body, to which, as under the present organization of the Institution, they were immediately responsible. Being without a supreme head, they were, under the restrictions of certain general usages and landmarks, independent associations, holding their meetings whenever and wherever the occasion required,and dissolving them again when the business of their assembling had been completed. The occasion made the Lodge; arid it was composed, not as now, of particular Brethren, permanently associated for the purpose; but of such as might happen to be at the moment in the vicinity, and whose presence could readily be commanded. Hence there was no necessity for records. The business was, necessarily, mainly confined to initiations. If certificates were required, the presiding officer gave them; and that was the only record made that the meeting had ever been held. Of course there were some exceptions to this general practice. Lodges in certain localities, were more permanently organized, and " general assemblies" were annually held. Of these some record was usually made. But it was not until the beginning of the last century, that the Fraternity were brought under any systematic and permanent form of government. In the year 1717, a new and better order of things was inaugurated by our English Brethren. A Grand Lodge was then organized on a fixed and permanent basis, and provision made for the future government of subordinate Lodges; which were thereafter to be formed and held only in certain localities and according to prescribed regulations. From this time records were kept, and the means of authenticating the existence and progress of the Institution, in this and all other civilized portions of the world, are certain and available.

We have said that the earliest record of Masonry in this country is dated in the year 1733. This is a Commission, or "Deputation," as it was then called, appointing the distinguished Brother whose name stands at the head of this article, " Provincial Grand Master for New England." It was granted by Lord Montacute, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, on the application of the appointee, "in behalf of himself and several other Brethren" then residing in New England. We have not the means at hand to determine who, or how many, these " other Brethren" were; but the terms of the Commission leave no room to doubt that Masonry was previously cultivated, at least in the New England Colonies, and that it had then attained to sufficient numerical importance to require a governing head. The logical inference in the case is strengthened by the tradition, that the Brethren of that day had previously been accustomed to meet at private houses, or other convenient places, for the practice of the rites of their Order, under the loose usage, and in the manner already described. But u. new regulation having recently been enacted by competent authority, which deprived them of that privilege, their only alternative was to apply to the Grand Lodge at London for the necessary Warrants for their Lodges (which would be attended with great delay and expense), or for the appointment of an officer clothed with sufficient authority to meet the rapidly increasing demands of the Order in the Colonies. The latter course was adopted, and the result was the reception of the following Commission, which we take pleasure in laying before our readers as the first document of the kind ever received in this country, and now for the first time put in print:—

Montacute (Seal) G. M.

To all and every Our Right Worshipful and loving Brethren now residing or who may hereafter reside in New England:

The Right Honorable and Right Worshipful Anthony, Lord Viscount Montacute, Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England:

Sendeth Greeting,—

Whereas, application has been made unto us by Our Worshipful and well beloved Brother, Mr. Henry Price, in Behalf of himself and Several other Brethren now Residing in New England aforesaid, Free and Accepted Masons, that we would be pleased to nominate and appoint a Provincial Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in New England aforesaid:

Now know Ye— That we have Nominated, ordained, constituted and appointed, and do by these Presents, Nominate, ordain, constitute and appoint, our said Worshipfull and well beloved Brother, Mr. Henry Price, Provincial Grand Master of New England aforesaid, and Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging, with full Power and Authority to nominate and appoint his Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Wardens; And we do also hereby Impower the said Mr. Henry Price, for us and in our place and stead to Constitute the Brethren (Free and Accepted Masons) now residing or who shall hereafter reside in those parts, into one or more regular Lodge or Lodges, as he shall think fit, and as Occasion shall require; He the said Mr. Henry Price, taking special care that all and every member of any Lodge or Lodges, so to be Constituted, have been or shall be made regular Masons; And that they do cause all and every the Regulations contained in the printed book of Constitutions (Except so far as they have been altered by the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly meetings) to be kept and Observed, and also all such other rules and instructions as shall from time to time be transmitted to him by us, (or by Thomas Batson, Esq., our Deputy Grand Master, or the Grand Master or his Deputy for the time being); And that he the said Mr. Henry Price, — or his Deputy, do send to us or our Deputy Grand Master and to the Grand Master of England or his Deputy for the time being Annually ; An Account in writing of the number of Lodges so Constituted, with the names of the several members of Each Particular Lodge, together with such other matters and things as he or they shall think fit to be Communicated for the prosperity of the Craft.

And lastly, we will and Require that our said Provincial Grand Master of New England, do Annually cause the Brethren to keep the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, and Dine together on that Day or (in case any Accident should happen to prevent their Dining together on that day) on any other day near that time, as he shall judge most fit, as is done here ; and that at all Quarterly communications, be do recommend a General Charity to be Establish'd for the Relief of Poor Brethren in those parts.

Given nnder our hands and seal of office at London, the thirtieth day of April, 1733, and of Masonry, 5733.

By the Grand Master's Command.
Tho. Batson, D. G. M.
G. Roger, S. G. W.
J. Smythe, J. G. W.

Although this Commission was dated at London, on the 30th April, it was not probably received in this country earlier than the middle of the following July; from seventy to eighty days being at that time about an average passage between the two Continents. It would seem, therefore, that no time was lost in carrying the purposes of it into operation; for on the 30th July — just three months from the day of its date—the new Grand Master assembled the Brethren then residing in Boston, at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern," in King street, (corner of State and Kilby street,) and causing his "Deputation" to be read, he appointed and installed the R. W. Andrew Belcher, Dep. Grand Master; R. W. Thos. Kennelly, S. G. W.; and R. W. John Quann, J. G. W.; and thus formed and constituted the first Grand Lodge of Freemasons ever opened on the American Continent. Neither a Secretary nor Treasurer was appointed at this meeting, nor for some time after. Their duties seem to have been performed by the Grand Master. And such seems also to have been the case at the organization of the Grand Lodge of England; for it does not appear from any account of the early proceedings of that body, which has fallen under our notice, that any regular Secretary was appointed until 1722-3, when the office was filled by Wm. Cowper, Esq., (the poet); and it was not until 1738 that the office of Treasurer was created, as a distinct appointment, —the duties having previously been performed by the Secretary. In that year, says the record, " Brother Revis, Grand Secretary, declined accepting the office of Treasurer, as he judged the holding both was incompatible with each other." It is very probable that Mr. Price, in making up his new Grand Lodge, may have appointed, temporarily, some minor officers of convenience, but their names are not given in the record.

The first business that came before the new Grand Lodge, was a Petition for a Lodge in Boston. It was presented on the same evening of the organization of the new body, — so anxious were this Brethren to begin at once the practice of their Masonic rites, in a legal and authorized manner, — and for which authority they had probably been patiently waiting for some months. The Petition was signed by eighteen Master Masons, and as it is the first document of the kind ever presented to an American Grand Lodge, and has never before been printed, we lay it before our readers as appropriate in this connection :—

To Rt. W. Brother Mr. Henry Price, Deputed Provincial Grand Matter of the Free and Accepted Masons of New England:

The Humble Petition of the following subscribers, in behalf of themselves and the Wor. and Ancient Brotherhood belonging to the Society of Free and Accepted Masons now Residing in New England:

Sheweth — That your Petitioners are very sensible of the Honour done to us here, by your said Deputation, and forasmuch as We are a sufficient number of Brethren, regularly made, and are now desirous of Enjoying each other, for Our Harmony, together, and Union, as well as Our Brethren that may at any time arrive here, or such as may be made Brothers hereafter, that is to say, in due Manner and Form. Therefore, We Request, as well in Our own Name and Names as in the Name and Names of all other Brethren it may Concern, That you will please to give the necessary Orders to all our Brethren within your Limits to give their due Attendance and Assistance in their several and Respective Capacities, towards Constituting a Regular Lodge this Evening, at the sign of the Bunch of Grapes, in King street, known by the name of the House of Mr. Edward Lutwych, or at any other place or places as Our said Right Worshipful Grand Master shall think proper, to be then and there held and Constituted, according to the Ancient Custom of Masons, and such Lodge to be held on every second and fourth Wednesday in each Month, for the Common Good of us and Brethren. Your Compliance herein, We doubt not, will Redound to the Honour of the Craft, and Encourage many worthy Gentlemen to become Brethren and Fellows of this Right Worshipful and Ancient society, and your Brethren and Petitioners shall ever Pray.

  • James Gordon.
  • John Waddell.
  • Edmd. Ellis.
  • Wm. Gordon.
  • John Baker.
  • Thos. Moloney.
  • Andw. Halliburton.
  • Robt. Peasley.
  • Saml. Pemberton.
  • John Gordon.
  • Andrew Belcher.
  • Henry Hope.
  • Thos. Kennelly.
  • John Quann.
  • Fred. Hamilton.
  • John McNeil.
  • Peter Hall.
  • Matw. Young.


Dated at Boston, in New England, July 30th, 1733, 5733.

This Petition having been read in open Grand Lodge, "the prayer thereof was promptly granted, and the new Grand Master forthwith proceeded — or in the words of the record — "did then and there, in the most solemn manner, according to ancient rite and custom, and the form prescribed in our Book of Constitutions, constitute us (the petitioners^ into a regular Lodge, in manner and form. Upon which we immediately proceeded, by our said Grand Master's order, to choose a Master, and unanimously chose our Wor. Brother Henry Hope, Esq., Master of this our new constituted Lodge, who then nominated and appointed our Wor. Brethren Mr. Frederick Hamilton and Mr. James Gordon, his Wardens; to which all the Brethren unanimously concurred, paying the usual respects to our said R. W. Grand Master, who caused them be duly examined, and being found well qualified, approved and confirmed them in their several stations, by Investing them with the Implements of their office, giving each his particular Charge, and admonishing the Brethren of the Lodge to due obedience and submission according to the Printed Book of Constitutions, Charges and Regulations, &c." And thus was the first regular Lodge in America constituted — July 30, 1733, — and, in the words of the record— " Thus was Masonry founded in New England."

The new Lodge was known and designated as the "First Lodge in Boston," up to the union of the two Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, in 1792; when it took the name and title of "St. John's Lodge," which it still worthily bears, — rejoicing in the vigor of youth, the honor of age, and the experience of nearly a century and a half. It is the oldest subordinate Lodge on the Western Continent It does not appear that any written Charter or Warrant was issued to the petitioners, nor did they ask for such a document in their petition. Warrants for holding Lodges were at that day almost a novelty even in Europe, and entirely so in this country. The regulation requiring them, as a condition-precedent to the holding of a Lodge, was then but of about seventeen years standing, and had not become the universal practice of the Brotherhood even on the European Continent.

The petitioners, therefore, most of whom had probably been made Masons under the old regulation, simply asked, in the language of the Commission of their new Grand Master, to be "constituted a regular Lodge" - deeming, and with sufficient reason too, such a constitution by the Grand Master, and in the presence of the Grand Lodge duly assembled, ample authority for all the purposes contemplated by their organization. Nor was there, under the circumstances,—working as they were, under the eye and frequently in the immediate presence of the Grand Lodge,—any absolute necessity for written evidence of their legality, — and such only is the purpose of a Charter or Warrant After the union of the two Grand Lodges in 1792, this Lodge took out a Charter from the present Grand Lodge of the State, under the name and style of St. John's Lodge, but retaining its original rank and precedence.

We have dwelt with some particularity upon the establishment of this Lodge, because it was the first official act of our distinguished first Grand Master. During the four years of his presidency, he established three other Lodges, two of which were in distant Provinces. The first Warrant he issued, was for a Lodge in Philadelphia, called in the records "The First Lodge in Pennsylvania." The authority for it was granted to his intimate personal friend and Brother, Benj. Franklin, who was its first Master. The Warrant bears date June 24, 1734. On the same day and year, he also granted a Warrant for "The Holy Lodge of St. John," at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire; and on the 27th December, 1735, he issued his Warrant for the establishment of "The First Lodge in South Carolina," at Charleston. Two of these Lodges were out of New England, and therefore beyond the original jurisdiction of the Grand Master; and in explanation of this, it is proper here to state, that early in the year 1734, he had received authority from the Grand Lodge of England, to establish Masonry in all North America; or, in other terms, he had been appointed Prov. Grand Master for the whole Continent; as were also his two immediate successors, Robert Tomlinson, in 1736, and Thos. Oxnard, in 1742.

"Nothing further remarkable happened" during the first year of Mr. Price's administration; "only," says the record, "the Celebration of the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, after the manner of Masons, when our Rt. Wor. Bro. Mr. Jas. Gordon, was chosen Master of the Lodge." "The Lodge" here referred to, was the "First Lodge." And it is worthy of notice in this connection, that the celebration of the two great festivals of Masonry (June 24 and Dec. 27,) was never neglected by oar Brethren at that early period of our history. They made it a matter of duty, as well as of pleasure, to come together on both festivals. And though the practice has not been wholly abandoned since, by the Grand Lodge of this State, the festivals hare lost much of their original attractiveness.

To this entry is added the quaint remark — "Masonry caused great speculation in these Days in New England to the great Vulgar and small." And we apprehend the family is not yet wholly extinct! But however this may be, our Brother continued actively engaged in tho discharge of his official duties, and in establishing the Institution on a firm and proper basis in the Colonies, until 1737, when he resigned, and the R. W. Robert Tomlinson was commissioned by the Earl of Loudon, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, as his successor. But he did not cease his active Masonic labors, nor withdraw the support of his counsel and influence from his Brethren. These were ever at their command, as were also his personal services, whenever they were required by, or could be used for, the promotion of the interests of the Institution. And hence we find him on several occasions, in later years, temporarily occupying the Chair and discharging the duties of Grand Master, with all the zeal and fidelity and intelligence that characterized his earliest connection with the Grand Lodge. Nor were his labors confined to that body.

In or about the year 1738, — doubtless mainly through the active instrumentality of Mr. Price,—a body, called a [Masters' Lodge," was organized in Boston, to meet monthly. Its officers consisted of a Master, two Wardens, two Stewards, a Secretary and Tyler, — the Sen. Steward was also the Treasurer. The work of the Lodge was exclusively restricted to the conferring of the Master's degree, on Brethren who had received the two preceding degrees in some one of the other Lodges then existing in the Colony, and whose work was confined to the first and second degrees. (The earliest regulation of the mother Grand Lodge of England, on this subject, reads as follows—"Apprentices must be admitted Fellow Crafts and Masters only here (in Grand Lodge,) unless by a Dispensation from the Grand Master." But this rule being attended with many inconsistencies, it was ordained Nov. 22, 1726, that "the Master of a Lodge, with his Wardens, and a competent number of the Lodge assembled in due form, can make Masters and Fellows at discretion." The Masters' Lodge seems to have been in the nature of a compromise between the old and new practice.) The rule that governed the admission of candidates for the Master's degree, is so pregnant with good sense and so conformable to correct Masonic usage, that we transcribe it for the information, — eo wish we could say, for the government, of those to whom the control of our Lodges is committed at the present time. It is in the following words— "No Brother to be raised Master, unless he goes through the Fellow-Craft's work to the approbation of this Lodge, and such examination to be performed on the Lodge-night before such candidate is to be balloted for and raised — always reserving an unanimous vote of the Lodge to the contrary. And such candidate to pay forty shillings into the hands of the Sen. Steward." Under such a regulation, the efficiency of our Lodges, if not the number of our members, might be improved, even at this day; and we are quite certain that our new initiates would not appreciate the value of the degrees any the less on account of the increased difficulty in obtaining them.

But to return to the Lodge. Brother Price was its first Master, and continued to occupy the Chair and perform the laborious duties of that office, until 1744, when he resigned; and it is worthy of note, as showing his constant activity and devotion to its interests, that during the whole time of his presidency, he was but once absent from his post of duty. On that occasion some members assembled as usual, but did not open the Lodge. The record of the evening reads as follows— "No meeting this night, our Rt. W. M. and several of the members being out of Town on extraordinary business." He was succeeded as Master by Bro. Robt. Jenkins, who had previously filled the chair of the Sen. Warden. Still we find our Brother present at nearly every meeting of the Lodge, and frequently acting as Master pro tem, until 1749, when he was again elected to the office, and held it until the "next time of choosing," when he was succeeded by Bro. Chas. Brockwell. (The Master, u was the ancient custom, and still is in England, appointed his own Wardens and other officers.) In 1760, he was elected Treasurer of the Lodge, — being the first election of such an officer; the duty having, previously, been performed by the Sen. Steward. He held this office three years, when he resigned, and was soon after (July 1754) called to resume the office of Grand Master, in consequence of the death of the M. W. Thos. Oxnard. He did not, however, relinquish any of his interest in the Masters' Lodge, and we accordingly find him present at every meeting during the whole time he was exercising the duties of Grand Master; and at the very first meeting after the vacancy in Grand Lodge had been filled by the appointment of the M. W. Jeremy Gridley, to the Grand Mastership, he was for the third time (1755) elected Master. He held the office, however, but for a few meetings, when he resigned in favor of Bro. Richard Gridley (afterwards D. G. M.); but at the expiration of Bro. Gridley's term of service, he was for the fourth time elected to the Chair, and served for several years. When it is considered that this was eminently a working Lodge, nothing need be added to the facts here given, to show the untiring devotion of our Brother to the interests of Masonry, at this its earliest, and therefore weakest, period of- existence on this Continent. But if anything further be needed for this purpose, it can be only necessary to say, that he was also a member of the "First Lodge," and gave to it his active services and co-operation. In 1766, on the death of the M. W. Jeremy Gridley, he was again called to the Chair of the Grand Lodge, which he occupied until a successor was appointed in 1768. From this time forward to the beginning of the agitations preceding the revolution, we find his name recorded in Grand Lodge at nearly every communication, and almost always as filling some responsible position. During the war, the meetings of the Grand Lodge were temporarily suspended, and our Brother removed from the city. His name appears for the last time, in the records of that body, in 1774.

We have but little space for the personal history of Mr. Price, even if the materials for an extended notice were at our command. He was born in London, about the year 1697, and came to America about 1723, and settled in Boston, where he opened a store and commenced business, it is believed, at first under his own name, though in 1744 he was the junior partner of the firm of Beteilhe & Price; and was probably in the Dry Goods trade. That he was successful in business, is presumable from the fact, that he was able to support a "country house" at Menotomy, W. Cambridge), where he resided during the Summer, living in town in the Winter season. He seems to have had some taste for the military profession, and was appointed in 1733, Cornet in the Governor's Guards, with the rank of Major, — a fact of some interest as indicating his social position in the community; for it is not to be supposed that an appointment of so much "aristocratic dignity," (as at that day military rank in the "Governor's Troop" was esteemed to be), would have been conferred upon him, had his social relations not been of a corresponding grade. About the year 1774, he relinquished business in the city and retired to his farm in Townsend ; which place he afterwards represented in the General Court. He died there on the 20th May, 17S0, and his remains were deposited in the public burial ground of the town. His tomb-stone bears the following inscription :—

"In Memory of
HENRY PRICE, Esq.
Was born in London about the year of our Lord 1697.
He removed to Boston about the year 1723;
Received a Deputation
Appointing him Grand Matter of Masons in New England;
and in the year 1733 was appointed a
Cornet in the Governor's Troop of Guards,
with the rank of Major.
By his diligence and industry in business,
He acquired the means of a comfortable living,
With which he removed to Townsend
In the latter part of his life.
He quitted Mortality the 20th of May, A. D. 1780,
Leaving a widow and two young daughters,
With a numerous company of friends and acquaintances
to mourn his departure,
Who have that ground of hope concerning his present lot
which results from his undissembled regard to his Maker and extensive benevolence to his
Fellow Creatures, manifested in life
by a behaviour consistent with his character as a
Mason,
And his nature as a Man.

Mr. Price was probably twice married; but of his first marriage we are wholly ignorant. It does not appear, however, that he left any children, the issue of that connection. His second wife was the widow Lydia Abbot, of Townsend, whom he seems to have married late in life; probably after leaving Boston, in 1774. As the fruit of this marriage, he had the two "young daughters" referred to in the above inscription. Their names were Mary and Rebecca; one of whom married a Mr. Wallace, of Townsend; a son of whom, namely, Mr. William Wallace, is still living and resides at that place. Mrs. Abbot, at the time of her marriage with Mr. Price, had two children by her former .husband. These composed his whole family at his decease. He left a Will, by which, after providing for the payment of his just debts and making suitable provision for his widow, he distributed the remainder of his property in about equal proportions among the four surviving children, The executors of the Will were Brother Samuel Dana, (afterwards Judge Dana,) of Groton, and Mr. Jonathan Wallace, of Townsend. As indicating, in some sense, the Christian faith and reliance of our Brother on Divine Providence, we give the preamble of the Will,—being the only portion of it that would be of interest to the reader:—

In the name of God. Amen.

"I, Henry Price, of Townsend, in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, Esq. Being weak in body, but of sound and perfect memory, do make this my last Will and testimony, that is to say : Principally and first of all, I recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and my body to the earth, to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner, at the discretion of my executors, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life with all, I give, devise and dispose of the same in manner and form following."

An original Portrait of our Brother, taken when he was about forty years of age, or about the time he was first appointed Grand Master, has recently been found in the possession of one of his descendants, by whom it has been presented to the Grand Lodge; and having been repaired and richly and tastefully embellished, now adorns the hall usually occupied by that body. It is a valuable acquisition, and will doubtless be carefully preserved, and transmitted to many future generations, to perpetuate the memory of this "fine old English gentleman," — the Father of Freemasonry in America.

CHARTERS GRANTED

RULINGS


Visit to Henry Price's Grave, September 1857

Gardner's 1871 Price Address

Grand Masters