Difference between revisions of "MassachusettsYear1869"

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1869

WILLIAM SEWALL GARDNER, Grand Master

Charles Levi Woodbury, Deputy Grand Master
Ithamar F. Conkey, Senior Grand Warden
Ivory H. Pope, Junior Grand Warden

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS

(Held at Masonic Temple, Boston)

• VII-285: 03/10;
• VII-319: 06/09;
• VII-374: 09/08;
• VII-398: 12/09 (Annual Communication; continued to 12/10)

03/10 Agenda

• VII-316: Commutation fee of $8 for the Grand Lodge Capitation Tax approved.
• VII-317: Bust of R.W. William Sutton presented by Winslow Lewis.

06/09 Agenda

• VII-330: Committee report on Louisiana and Scottish Rite.
• VII-352: Invitation to St. John's Day in Newburyport, accepted.
• VII-352: Complaint by Grand Lodge of California against Mount Hollis Lodge, referred.
• 12/09: VII-444; Resolution of dispute between Mount Hollis Lodge and the Grand Lodge of California.
• VII-357: Placement of the bust of William Sutton.

09/08 Agenda

• VII-390: A commission for a Grand Representative from Missouri was presented.
• VII-395: Jurisdictional complaint against Adelphi Lodge; dismissed.
• VII-397: Request to lay the corner stone of the new Post Office in Boston.

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVIII, No. 11, September 1869, Page 354:

GRAND LODGE JURISDICTION.
MASSACHUSETTS LODGES IN OTHER STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Note: the editor has made corrections to dates quoted in this article. Note also that the author conflates lodges chartered by the two Grand Lodges prior to 1792.

The jurisdiction of a Grand Lodge of Freemasons, in the United States, is threefold:

1. Over the State or Territory in which it is located. This jurisdiction is exclusive as against all other Grand Lodges or Masonic powers, over Ancient Craft or Symbolic Masonry.
2. Co-ordinate and common jurisdiction in those States and Territories of the United States within whose limits an American Grand Lodge has not been lawfully and regularly established and exists. This is also exclusive, as against all foreign masonic powers.
3. Co-ordinate and common jurisdiction with the Grand Lodges of Europe, in those independent States, kingdoms, or countries wherein no native or local Grand Lodge of the same Rite is maintained.

With the further explanation that the territories or dependencies of any independent foreign State, are to be regarded as included in the Masonic jurisdiction of such State, our readers will readily understand the policy and principles by which the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has been governed in establishing Lodges beyond its own immediate and exclusive jurisdiction,— a policy which it has pursued uninterruptedly from its organization as the original Grand Lodge in this country, in 1733; and in the prosecution of which it has extended its authority and diffused the light entrusted to its care over, and, to a limited extent, beyond, both the American continents. And it may be new, and perhaps not wholly uninteresting, to some of our younger brethren, to learn that eleven of the thirteen colonies composing the confederation and future States of the Union were indebted to it for the first elements of their masonic existence and subsequent prosperity. The first warrant issued by it was granted on the 30th of July, 1733, — the day of its own organization, — for "The First Lodge in Boston." It was the first warranted Lodge in America, and its records are nearly complete to the present time. It was followed by a Dispensation for the "First Lodge in Pennsylvania," granted to Benjamin Franklin,— then of Philadelphia, who was its first Master,— dated June 24, 1734. On the same day a Dispensation was also issued for the "Holy Lodge of St. John," at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which Lodge is still in existence, and is one of the most flourishing in the State. The next charter issued was for the "First Lodge in South Carolina," located at Charleston, and dated December 27, 1735. On December 27, 1749, authority for "St. John's Lodge, No. 1," at Newport, Rhode Island, was granted, and this Lodge is still in existence. Authority was also subsequently granted for other Lodges in the State. August 12, 1750, "Maryland Lodge" was established at Annapolis, in Maryland, but we believe it is not now in existence. November 12, 1750, a warrant was granted for "Hiram Lodge," at New Haven, Connecticut, which is still in existence. Warrants were also afterwards granted for other Lodges in the State. In 1756 a warrant was granted for an Army Lodge at Crown Point, in the State of New York; and in 1759, for another at Lake George; and in 1762 for still another at Crown Point; and in September, 1782, a Dispensation was granted by the then Grand Master to John Copp and others for a Lodge in the State of New York. Neither the name nor the location is given in the record. In 1762, "Temple Lodge, No. 1," was authorized at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, being the first Lodge in that province. In 1764, another Lodge was authorized to be held at Princeton, in the same colony, by the name of "St. John's Lodge." In 1764 a Dispensation was issued for "Pitt County Lodge," in North Carolina, and in 1766, another for a Lodge in Virginia. In November, 1781, a warrant was issued for "Vermont Lodge," at Cornish, Vermont, being the first Lodge in that State; and in 1785 another for "North Star Lodge," at Manchester, Vermont. In 1796, "American Union Lodge" was authorized at Marietta, Ohio. The above comprise all the old colonies, except Delaware and Georgia; the last of which received its first Masonic authority from England, in 1735. The Lodges whose names are given all derived their authority from Massachusetts, and were the first in their respective districts. And, in addition thereto, the Grand Lodge, between the date of its organization and the close of the eighteenth century, established Lodges beyond the present jurisdiction of the United States as follows : The "First Lodge in the West Indies," at Antigua, in 1738; "Halifax Lodge," Nova Scotia, in 1750; a Lodge at St. John's, Newfoundland, 1746; "Royal Lodge," at Annapolis, Nova Scotia, 1750; and another at Louisburg, in 1758; a Lodge at Quebec, Canada, in 1764; "Surinam Lodge," at Surinam, Dutch Guiana, in 1766; another at St. Christopher, and still another at Barbados, both in the West Indies, 1767; which include all the foreign Lodges for which authority was granted before the beginning of the present century, at which time the following Report, adopted by the Grand Lodge, at its last Quarterly Communication, takes the subject up, and brings it down to the present date.

REPORT

In Grand Lodge, Sept. 8, 1869.

The committee to whom was referred the address of the M.W. Grand Master at the quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge in June last, respectfully report:

That the only matter contained in the address, which seemed to demand the attention of your committee, or the action of the Grand Lodge, is that which relates to what may, perhaps not inappropriately, be called our Foreign Lodges, or those Lodges in foreign countries that have been created and exist by authority of this Grand Lodge. The number of these is limited, and it will be most convenient to refer to them in their order:

BETHESDA LODGE, AT VALPARAISO, CHILI, SOUTH AMERICA

Was established by Dispensation in 1853, and chartered in 1854.— It is a well ordered and prosperous Lodge, with, nominally, one hundred members. Its returns and dues to the close of the past year are in the hands of the Deputy for the District, and will be forwarded at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, the Deputy asks for instruction on the question whether the Grand Lodge expects and will insist on the payment of the capitation tax, by this and the other Foreign Lodges under its jurisdiction?

The Brethren at Valparaiso urge that their distance from the seat of government of the Grand Lodge, and their comparatively isolated condition, should exonerate them from this payment. Your committee, in view of these suggestions, and the further consideration that the maintenance of Lodges in foreign countries, where the field of labor is limited, is necessarily attended with expenses which are not demanded of Lodges in the immediate vicinity of the Grand Lodge, recommend that all the Lodges so situated be excused from the payment of special taxes.

STAR OF THE SOUTH LODGE, CONCEPCIÓN.

In 1856, a Dispensation was granted for a Lodge at Concepcion, in Chili, under the name of "Star of the South Lodge"; but in 1858, a majority of the petitioners having satisfied themselves that it was not possible to maintain a new Lodge at that place, the undertaking was abandoned, and the Dispensation returned.

The above includes all the Lodges that have ever been authorized or established in the Republic of Chili by this Grand Lodge. Those at present in existence, and whose names are borne upon its roll, are: Bethesda, at Valparaiso, and Hiram, at Copiapo.

A petition is, however, in the hands of your committee for a new Lodge at the former place; to which they will have occasion again to refer.

HIRAM LODGE, COPIAPO

In December, 1857, Grand Master Heard granted a Dispensation to Joseph T. Brower and six other Brethren, for a Lodge at Copiapo, in the Republic of Chili, to be known as "Hiram Lodge." It was soon after regularly organized, and the R. W. Brother Dr. John Flint was appointed its proxy in this Grand Lodge; but your committee regret to say it has never realized the expectations of its founders, or the hopes of its friends. Its present condition, and views of future improvement, are briefly stated by the R. W. George H. Kendall, Deputy for the District, in a note to the chairman of your committee, dated at Valparaiso, April 15, 18G9, in the following words:

"Hiram Lodge of Copiapo, has come to a standstill, not having done any work for a long time, it being impossible for the members to meet in sufficient numbers. They are about to petition for the removal of the Lodge to Caldera, the port of Copiapo, where a number of Masons reside, and where its existence would be beneficial to them, as well as to sojourners."

The petition here referred to having been received, your committee recommend that the Grand'Master authorize the removal of the Lodge from Copiapo to Caldera, if he shall deem such removal useful and expedient.

SOUTHERN-CROSS LODGE, VALPARAISO.

In 1858, another Dispensation was granted by Grand Master Heard, for a third Lodge in Chili, to be held at Valparaiso, under the name of "Southern-Cross Lodge." It was regularly organized, and in the following year made its returns and paid its dues, together with the fee for a Charter, which was forthwith forwarded to the petitioners ; but it is believed that the Lodge was never constituted under it. All the papers relating to the case were destroyed at the burning of the Temple in 1855; but the chairman of your committee is under the impression that the Charter was lost at sea in its transmission, and that the petitioners soon after abandoned the enterprise and connected themselves with Bethesda Lodge. Your committee, not receiving the papers referred to them, in sufficient season to attend to the duty personally, recommend that the Grand Secretary be directed to communicate with the Deputy for Chili on the subject.

J. L. HUTCHINSON LODGE, ARICA, PERU.

In December, 1866, Grand Master Dame announced in his annual address before the Grand Lodge that on the 21st of February he granted a Dispensation to Brother John Thomas Lansing, the American Consul, and nineteen other Brethren, to form a Lodge at Arica, in the Republic of Peru, under the name of J. L. Hutchinson Lodge, and had appointed the R. W. Brother Richard Hartley (Secretary, Supreme Council 33°, for Peru), of Lima, District Deputy Grand Master for that State. No returns have been received from this Lodge, nor are your committee in possession of any information as to its past history or present condition, if indeed it be now in existence. But as the town in which it was located, was entirely destroyed by the earthquake which made such frightful havoc on the coast of Peru in 1868, it may not be unreasonable to infer that the Lodge was swept away by the same terrible calamity. Your committee, however, recommend that the Grand Secretary be directed to communicate with the Deputy of the District on the subject.

ISTHMUS LODGE, PANAMA

In March, 1868, Grand Master Dame also granted a Dispensation for a Lodge at Panama, in the Republic of New Granda, by the name of "Isthmus Lodge," and appointed for its W. Master, Brother William Little, a native of Boston, and the American Consul at that place; but in consequence of his death soon after, and the establishment of a Grand Lodge for the Republic, the Lodge, by agreement of the parties, and with the consent of the Grand Master of this Grand Lodge, surrendered its Dispensation and took out a Charter from the local Grand Body, on the condition that it should be allowed to work in the York Rite, in which it was originally instituted, instead of the Scotch Rite practiced by the native Grand Lodge.

It is not known that the Lodge ever did any work under its Dispensation. Its organization and subsequent supervision were, however, entrusted to the Deputy for Peru, and if it ever made returns of its transactions to anybody, they were probably made to him. If so, the fact can be ascertained by the Grand Secretary in the correspondence which he is directed by this report to open with that officer.

ANCIENT LANDMARK LODGE, SHANGHAI, CHINA

In December, 1863, a Dispensation was granted to Charles E. Hill and others, for a Lodge at Shanghai, in China, under the name of "Ancient Landmark Lodge," for which a Charter was issued in March, 1865: The Lodge was originally composed almost entirely of Americans, residing and doing business at the place of its location. They were Brethren of the highest respectability; and your committee are happy to add, that the Lodge has continued to maintain a character for intelligence and propriety of deportment alike honorable to itself and to this Grand Lodge.

EARLIER LODGES

In 1801, this Grand Lodge granted a Dispensation or Charter, for a Lodge to be held in the old town of Starbroeck, in British Guiana, the name of which continued upon its roll until 1834, when nothing having been heard of it for many years, it was dropped.

In 1805, a Charter was granted for Scioto Lodge to be holden at Chillicothe, in Ohio, which, on the organization of the Grand Lodge of the State, was transferred to that body, where it still remains, ranking No. 6 on its roll.

In 1821, authority was given by the Grand Lodge for a French Lodge at Mayaguez, Porto Rico. And this is all we know about it. Like its sister at Stabroeck, it died, and "made no sign."

The foregoing comprise all the Lodges which during the present century have been authorized by this Grand Lodge, beyond its own immediate and exclusive jurisdiction, except the issuing of a Dispensation to Robert F. Parker, a native of Boston, and others, for a Lodge at San Francisco, in California, in the year 1848. And it may not hereafter be an uninteresting historical fact, that this was the first authority ever issued by a Grand Lodge for the opening and working of a Lodge of Freemasons in that then comparatively uncivilized and unknown, but now prosperous, enterprising, and wealthy State. The petitioners did not ask for a Charter, the unsettled and constantly changing character of the early inhabitants of the place, rendering the permanent organization of the Lodge inexpedient, if not wholly impracticable. The Dispensation was returned to the Grand Lodge.

THE ORGANIZATION OF A GRAND LODGE IN CHILI.

Subsequent to the establishment of Bethesda Lodge, a body was organized at Valparaiso, under the name, and with the assumed powers, of a Grand Lodge for that Republic ; and it has continued in the uninterrupted exercise of these powers to the present time. Its legality has, however, been questioned, but on grounds that have not, so far as your committee are informed, met with favor in any responsible source. There were undoubtedly informalities in the manner of its organization; but this Grand Lodge, in 1862, did not think them of sufficient importance to prevent its authorizing the Deputy for the District, and the members of Bethesda Lodge, to accede to its invitation to exchange Masonic civilities with it and its constituent Lodges, until otherwise ordered, or until some more satisfactory evidence of its irregularity should appear. No such evidence has appeared, and the amicable relations which have for the last seven years existed between it and the Brethren of our Lodges in the Republic, remain undisturbed. Your committee do not know of any reason why they should not continue. The new body was formed as a Grand Lodge of the Scotch Bite, and has not nor does it claim to exercise any authority or control over the York Mite or its Lodges. It recognizes the latter Rite as a co-ordinate, independent branch of Freemasonry, and has never, it is believed, manifested any disposition to interfere with the exercise of its powers, as such, within the limits of the Chilian Republic. More than this cannot be demanded of it; more it cannot in honor concede.

THE SCOTTISH RITE LAW OF JURISDICTION

The law of jurisdiction, as here indicated, and as accepted by the Grand Lodge of Chili, is in literal agreement with the celebrated Declaration of the Powers of the Scottish Rite, promulgated by a Congress of the authorities of that Rite, held at Paris in 1834. That Convention, or Congress, was composed of many of the most distinguished and eminent members of the Rite; representing the Supreme Councils of South America and of several of the European States. Among them was General Lafayette. It was a body of positive powers, and enunciated with authority, as the basis of the organic law of the Rite of Masonry it represented, the important principle, that “different Rites naturally produce different powers which govern them;” and, as a logical and necessary consequence, that “each Rite is independent of all the others.” And again, that “the action of the power of a Rite, whether dogmatic or administrative, cannot legally extend except to the Masons of that Rite, obedient to the jurisdiction of that power."

There is no mistaking the legal force and intent of these important edicts. They constitute the law, and clearly define and limit the jurisdiction, of the Scottish Rite, while they recognize in the York Rite equal and co-ordinate powers, wherever the former is itself in authority. It is by the force of this law of jurisdiction that in Europe Grand Lodges of different Rites are found occupying the same political division or State; as in Prussia and France. It is by virtue of this law, also, that the Grand Lodge of England maintains its subordinate lodges in Switzerland, in the Argentine Republic, and in Venezuela. And it is by the authority of this same law that we have established and hold our own lodges in the South American Republics, where the York Rite would not otherwise be known.•

A different rule, apparently, obtains in the United States; and there would, at first view, seem to be a want of reciprocity, or equality, in our system of Masonic government; but it is only in appearance. In reality there is no substantive difference in the practical working of the law as between us and our foreign brethren. We in America have both these great leading Rites permanently established among us, and recognize no others. The country is therefore Masonically occupied. And as any attempt by a foreign power to place a lodge of the York Rite within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodges of Great Britain, or a lodge of the Scottish Rite within that of the Supreme Council of France, would be resisted by both as a violation of the law of jurisdiction; so any attempt by such a power to establish lodges of either Rite in this country would meet with the indignant opposition of the party whose jurisdiction should be invaded. That tho Scottish Rite with us does not, as elsewhere, assume to exercise any control over, or to interfere with, the prerogatives of the symbolic lodge, or the degrees usually recognized as comprising the York Rite, does not affect the independent relations or prerogatives of either Rite, in other respects. The difference is one of mutual agreement, and entirely local in its effect.†

PETITION FOR A NEW LODGE AT VALPARAISO

In view of the foregoing facts and considerations, your committee are clearly of the opinion, that, whatever may be the legal status of the body known as the Grand Lodge of Chili, there is no lawful objection to this Grand Lodge placing another lodge at Valparaiso, if such a step shall be found to be for the interest of Masonry. The petition for such a lodge, which accompanies the papers referred to your committee, is signed by fourteen brethren residing at Valparaiso, most of whom were initiated in American lodges, and speak the English language. It is also endorsed by the Deputy of the district, and recommended in the usual form by Bethesda Lodge. It is thought by the Deputy, and by many of the brethren at Valparaiso, that the establishment of a second York lodge there would create a new interest, and quicken energies that are now sluggish and inactive. Without assuming to decide this point, your committee recommend that the subject be referred to the Grand Master, to be disposed of by him as in his judgment may be best for the interest of all parties concerned.

Respectfully submitted,
Chas. W. Moore, C. H. Titus,
Baalis Sanford, Jr.

---

• • The Freemasonry of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is almost the only Freemasonry known in all tho South American Republics, in Spain, and Italy and it and the French Rite or Rit Moderne, in France, Portugal, and Belgium. In all these countries its authorities confer the three first degrees and create Blue Lodges. There are Supreme Councils in those European States, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in Brazil, the Argentine Confederation, Uruguay, Peru, Venezuela, New Grenada, and the West Indies. — Balustre Sup. Council So. Juris. U. S. A., June, 1869.

• † Everywhere else in the world, except in the British Isles, the Supreme Councils administer the Symbolic degrees and create Blue Lodges, as they always have done, and as the Rite of Perfection always did; and Masons made under their authority are recognized as legitimate by the whole masonic world. There are fifty such lodges in France, created by the Supreme Council of France, and recognized as legitimate by the Grand Orient of France, one of the greatest Masonic powers in the World. The Supreme Council of the United States conceded to the Grand Lodges the exclusive control over the Blue degrees, at its origin in 1801, and has never violated the agreement it then made; but it does not admit that the Grand Lodges could have deprived it of any of its powers, exercised by the governing bodies and the Inspectors-General of the Scottish Masonry from the year 1758. — Sup. Council So. Jur., U. S. A., 1869

• § The Grand Orient works a modified or mixed rite, which it calls the French or Modern rite, embodying tire essentials of both the Scotch and York Rites.

12/09-12/10 Agenda

• VII-406: A brother complained that he had been left off the charter of Franklin Lodge.
• VII-406: Communication from the Grand Lodge of Italy.
• VII-408: Correspondence from the Grand Lodge of Canada regarding the attempt to establish a Grand Lodge in Quebec.
• VII-412: Auditing Committee report.
• VII-414: Sinking Fund report.
• VII-430: Grand Master's directions to District Deputies as part of their official visits. They should also "impress upon the brethren various virtues; that the Masters and Wardens should attend Grand Lodge, and that they should avoid antagonism."

1. Determine number of brethren present, and the number of members.
2. Inspection of lodge rooms, and see that they are securely tyled.
3. Whether other than proper officers are permitted in preparation room.
4. Whether deacons have black rods, and stewards white rods.
5. Examine records and the roster of officers.
6. Determine whether the lodge has a copy of the Grand Constitutions.
7. Establish whether the By-Laws have been approved by the Grand Lodge.
8. Assure that the Lodge has the proper Furniture, including representation of the three Lesser Lights.
9. Determine whether the work is "in all respects according to the Grand Lodge requirements" and whether a Grand Lecturer is needed.
10. Determine whether the Lodge has a Master's Carpet.
11. Ascertain the financial condition of the lodge, its investments and cash on hand.
12. Ascertain the manner of examining Visitors.
13. Determine whether unaffiliated brothers are admitted without paying the fee.
14. Impress the propriety of not admitting any brother without his presence being announced and permission obtained.
15. Report the number of Dispensations granted each year.
16. Take charge of all lodges Under Dispensation in the distrct.
17. Determine whether Dispensation was obtained for public processions.
18. Report as soon as possible after completion of the circuit of the district.
19. Make bills of expenses as small as possible, recalling the debt of the Grand Lodge.
20. Determine that lodges have collars and jewels for officers.

• VII-435: Grand Master Gardner re-elected.
• VII-438: Communication by Montacute Lodge to determine whether the original Grand Master of England in 1733 was named "Montacute" or "Montague".
• VII-439: Report of Records Committee.
• VII-450: Committee regarding Grand Lodge representatives.

Lewis Hayden

• VII-454: Petition of black Freemasons (Lewis Hayden and others) committee report. An extensive history of the descent of Prince Hall Freemasonry. THe petition asks for recognition and "equal Masonic manhood in the hope that we be permitted to establish our claim to Masonic rite by whatever means the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge may suggest." The committee responded as follows:

The petition refers to the origin and progress of the so-called Freemasonry to which the petitioners belong, and embraces a copy of a Charter which certain black men, therein recognized as Masons, obtained in 1784, from the Grand Lodge of England and received by them in 1787. Your committee have examined the Charter and believe it is authentic: but as they do not deem it to be necessary at this time to investigate the historical statement contained in the petition: they have not inquired into its legal Masonic effect, nor whether any proper organization under it ever took place. The petitioners include only a portion of the persons who claim to derive privileges from this instrument, when it is obvious that the granting of their prayer for the reasons they advance, would equally benefit their associates who have not joined in the petition, and over whom therefore, this Grand Lodge would have no control. Under these circumstances, it is not necessary to inquire into the validity of the proceedings of the persons named in the charter or whether the petitioners have any just claim to be considered their successors.
Lodges professing to be Masonic existing in this Commonweath without the sanction of the Grand Lodge, are irregular and spurious, and the members of them are of course denied Masonic intercourse with members of regular Lodge, and they and their members, including the petitioners, are not recognized by the Craft.
Our Constitutions make no distinction on account of the color of persons who desire the benefits of Freemasonry, and there are no rules or regulations whereby the petitioners if "worthy and well qualified" are excluded from our fraternity, if they seek admission through duly organized lodges.
Scan of original report

• VII-464: Commutation fee continued at $7 through July 1, 1870.
• VII-475: Lodge of Instruction (Thursday morning, December 10).

Grand Constitutions Amendment Proposals

• 09/08: VII-387: Amendment to Grand Constitutions regarding Board of Directors approved.
  • Part 1, Article 1, Section 2

• 12/09: VII-437: Proposed Amendment to the Grand Constitutions regarding the Annual Communication; referred.

Grand Master's Address

• 03/10: VII-287; address by Grand Master; referred to committee of five, VII-315.

• 06/09: VII-321; address by Grand Master; referred to committee.
  • 09/08: VII-366; Report of Committee on Grand Master Dame's valedictory address.
  • 09/08: VII-376: Report on the Grand Master's Address.
  • 12/09: VII-415; referred to committees on District Deputies, on Returns of Lodges, and on the Feast of Saint John.

Lodge By-Law Changes

(all approved):

• 03/10: VII-302, VII-316; Hampden, Ionic (Taunton), King David, Mount Horeb (Woburn), Mystic, North Star, Roswell Lee

• 06/09: VII-351, VII-372; Corinthian, Eliot, John Warren, Lafayette (Roxbury), St. Mark's

• 09/08: VII-390, VII-396; Ancient Landmark, Chicopee, Fellowship, Isaac Parker, Mount Olivet, Quinebaug

• 12/09: VII-464;, Athelstan, Blue Hill, Day Spring, Golden Fleece, King David, Lafayette (North Adams), The Massachusetts, Meridian, Montacute, Mount Lebanon, Mount Vernon, North Star, Orange, Revere, Rising Star, St. Bernard, St. John's (Boston), Star of Bethlehem, Winslow Lewis

Necrologies and Memorials

• 06/09: VII-328; Death of Most Wor. Allyn Weston, Past Grand Master of Masons in Colorado, mentioned in Grand Master's Address; his remains would be brought to Massachusetts for interment with Masonic honors; a committee was appointed.
  • VII-350: Report on the interment.

• 09/08: VII-390; Death of Rt. Wor. Thomas Tolman, Past Senior Grand Warden; presented by Rt. Wor. Sheppard.

Petitions for Charters

• 03/10: VII-287; Morning Sun Lodge, Conway (restoration); rejected due to "no authority"; a dispensation for Morning Sun was offered.
  • Original document

• 06/09: VII-372; Faith U.D., Charlestown, granted.

• 06/09: VII-371; Delta U.D., Weymouth; granted.

• 12/09: VII-406, VII-452: Bethany U.D., West Amesbury, granted.

• 12/09: VII-408, VII-453: Palestine, Everett, granted.

Petitions for Dispensation for Lodges

Dispensations mentioned in Grand Master's Address, beginning on Page VII-483:

• Rabboni, South Boston (01/11)
• Globe, Hinsdale (01/21)
• Charity, North Cambridge (03/06)
• Upton, Cheshire (03/11)
• Mount Holyoke, South Hadley (03/30)
• Morning Sun, Conway (03/30)
• Phoenician, Lawrence (07/03; note that the original petitioners wished to name it for the GM.)
• Puritan, Abington (07/21)
• Howard, South Yarmouth (08/16)
• Aconcagua, Valparaiso, Chile (10/26)
• Hiram permitted to remove to Caldera, Chile (10/26; Page VII-488)

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS

None.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

(held at Masonic Temple, Boston, 12/28/1869); VII-476.

• VII-476: Opening and roll call.
• VII-477: Reception of Grand Master of Connecticut.
• VII-478: Installation of Grand Lodge officers, with short remarks by Past GM John T. Heard.
• VII-481: Grand Master's appointments for 1870.
• VII-483: Address of Grand Master Gardner.
  • Lodges constituted, officers installed:
    • Faith, Charlestown (06/30)
    • Delta, Weymouth (07/02)
    • Bethany, West Amesbury (12/14, by Past Grand Master Dame; hall dedication, see Page VII-516)
    • Palestine, Everett (12/22)
  • Hall Dedications:
    • Somerville (03/18)
    • Natick (11/16)
• VII-483; Appointment of Charles C. Dame to constitute Bethany Lodge.
• VII-516: Correspondence from the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire.
• VII-518: Complaint on a rejected candidate received degrees in New Hampshire.
• VII-522: Communications from various Grand Lodges.
• VII-522: Charity Committee report, including extensive history. (Page VII-519ff).
• VII-543: List of diplomas granted (1,860 in 1869).
• VII-544: List of lodges not represented at Grand Lodge in 1869.
• VII-545: Report on the Feast of St. John.
• VII-546: List of Grand Lodge Proceedings received.
• VII-547: Feast of St. John, including remarks by various Brothers (listed and not recorded).

LIST OF LODGES IN MASSACHUSETTS BY DISTRICT: 1869

There were 16 districts in Massachusetts in 1869, as well as special areas for Chile, China and Peru (though this district was abolished after 1869). The district disposition is listed in the 1870 Proceedings.

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