Difference between revisions of "Philanthropic"

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On the 20th, the officers of Philanthropic Lodge, Marblehead, were publicly installed. Address by Rev. Br. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRandall Randall].
 
On the 20th, the officers of Philanthropic Lodge, Marblehead, were publicly installed. Address by Rev. Br. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRandall Randall].
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=== HISTORY ===
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==== HISTORICAL ADDRESS, MARCH 1900 ====
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''From Proceedings, Page 1900-45:''
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''By [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLWTrefry William D.T. Trefry].''
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'''THE FIRST FORTY YEARS OF MASONRY IN MARBLEHEAD.'''
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This time one hundred and forty years ago, in the latter part of March, 1760, our Masonic forefathers, who constituted this Lodge, stood between two important historical events — the one just past; the other to come. The victory of General Wolfe on the Heights of Abraham. the year before, gave to England exclusive control of the whole eastern coast of the continent from Canada to Florida, and laid the foundation for American independence. Those of our forefathers who took part in this war were soon to witness another event of equal importance in its influence upon the Colonies. The accession of George III. to the throne of his grandfather in October, 1760, imbued with the desire to be king though men and principle were sacrificed, narrow and stubborn, self-willed and ignorant, hastened that remarkable train of events by which he was quickly shorn of the fairest possession of his crown.
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The Navigation Acts, followed by his efforts to enforce the Stamp Act, and taxes upon commodities, soon raised the determined resistance of his subjects in America, and resulted in the final severance of the Colonies from the mother country. Of the celebrated characters who took part in these events, Marblehead furnished her full share. It is no exaggeration to say that, in proportion to her size, no place furnished more men, or gave greater evidence of her patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty. In these and subsequent events the men who formed and sustained this Lodge for the first forty years of its existence were among the foremost heroes of the Revolutionary period.
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Midway between these two events a little band of Masons took measures to form a Lodge in Marblehead. They were authorized by the commission of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMGridley Jeremy Gridley], Provincial Grand Master of North America. This commission, as far as known, is not now in existence, but the Records of the Grand Lodge show in several places that the commission to hold the Lodge at Marblehead was granted to Dr. John Lowell, March 25, 1760. There is no record of the proceedings in the possession of the Lodge from this time till 1778, and it is doubtful if any was kept. The following letter, which has recently come into the possession of the Grand Lodge, throws light upon the proceedings, and discloses the names of the men who were associated with Dr. Lowell in the organization of the Lodge:
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<blockquote>
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''LETTER OF DR. JOHN LOWELL.''<br>
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<br>
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Marblehead April 10. 5760. <br>
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<br>
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To the Right Worshipfull Brother<br>
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John Leverett,  ''Grand Secretary.''<br>
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<br>
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''Right Worshipful Brother,'' I Rec'd the Commission you sent me from the Right Worshipfull Grand Master bearing Date the 25th Ult°. to Act as Master of a Lodge in Marblehead. When I have a Convenient Oppertunity in person I shall Endeavour to Acknowlege the favour in a proper manner to him & the Rest of the Right Worshipfull Officers. I Likewise have Received your Letter of the 2d. Inst: Inviting me & my Wardens by Order of the Right Worshipfull Grand Master to the Grand Lodge or Quarterly Communication. I Am Sorry I cant do myself that Pleasure, My Wife Expecting to Lay in with a Child this month & the Time is so Uncertain that I cant possibly be from home, But our Brothers Glover and Tucker whom I have Appointed my Wardens (Pro Tempore) will wait upon you. Inclosed I have sent you the Names of those whom I found to be Brethren in the Town and whom I have made at two meetings 6ince I opened the Lodge. I have thought fit at present to hold our Lodge in a Chamber of our Brother Tukers House which is at the Entrance of the Town the Largest and Best Situated upon all Accounts we have among us. The Night of our Meeting is the first Thursday in every Month. Our Last Meeting Consisted of Twenty in Number when I mentioned to them the Charity for our poor Brethren. As We have Been at Considerable Expcnce for Things Necessary to furnish our Lodge Genteelly it has taken up all the Money in our Box which we have got by Admitting New Brethren and more, so that we could not send you so much as perhaps this Necessitous time requires, our Lodge being Young & Few.    But as a Number of our Brethren have we Collected among us Forty pounds Old Tenor which my Wardens will deliver you & hope the Sum tho' Small will be acceptable. <br>
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I am Right Worshipfull<br>
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Your Humble Servant & Brother<br>
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Jn". Lowell <br>
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<br>
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A List of Brothers before the Opening of a Lodge in Marblehead<br>
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and Belonging to the Same Town.<br>
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<br>
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* Samuel Glover S: W:
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* Andrew Tucker J: W:
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* John Roades Secy.
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* Jonathan Glover Treasurer
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* Henery Saunders
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* Samuel Reed
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* John Glover
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* George Stacey
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* Edward Middlesex Walker.
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* Andrew Tuker Junr.
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* John Peirce
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* John Reed Junr.
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<br>
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A List of Brothers Admitted in the New Lodge at Marblehead<br>
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all belonging to Marblehead<br>
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* John Cawley
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* Thomas Lewis
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* Edward Fitterplace
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* John Pulling
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* Thomas King
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* Thomas Dixey
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* Thomas Aden
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* Richard Harris
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* ''except'' Edward Draper Holford of St. Kitts.
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</blockquote>
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The superscription on the above letter is as follows: ''John Leverett Mercht. in Boston.''
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Brother Tucker's house, mentioned in this letter as the place of the first meetings of the Lodge, stands on Rowland street, now long known as the house owned and occupied by Commodore Samuel Tucker, of Revolutionary fame.
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You will notice also the names of Brig.-Gen. John Glover and Col. Jonathan Glover, both celebrated for the distinguished part they took in the War of the Revolution ; and among the others, men of financial standing and commercial enterprise. Until to-day I have not been able clearly to establish Dr. Lowell's identity. He was a practising physician, and it might be inferred from his letter that he had not been long settled in town. The Probate Records at Salem show that he died in Marblehead, and that Thomas Lewis, whose name appears in the foregoing list, was appointed administrator of his estate June 3, 1777. From the fact that this letter was found among the effects of the late Judge Lowell, of Boston, I infer that he was a member of that distinguished family.
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There was little communication between the Marblehead Lodge and the Grand Lodge; but the Records of the Grand Lodge disclose that at a Quarterly Communication holden at Boston April 11, 1760, the Marblehead Lodge presented for charity, by Bro. Samuel Glover, S.W., and Bro. Andrew Tucker, J.W., £5 6s. 8d., and at the October Communication " For the Marblehead Lodge, Bro. Thomas Lewis presented 18 shillings." A minute is also to be found in these Records that the Lodge was represented at the meeting held July 10, 1761, and at two Communications in 1762. After this time the Lodge is not mentioned as being represented at the meetings of the Grand Lodge, but an entry is made at every Communication that the Marblehead Lodge is under its jurisdiction up to and including July 23, 1767. In the petition to the Grand Master of England, dated Jan. 25, 1768, praying for the appointment of a Grand Master of Masons in place of Jeremy Gridley, deceased, the Marblehead Lodge is mentioned as being in this government, constituted March 25, 1760.
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Oct. 31, 1768, Rt. Wor. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRowe John Rowe], Esq., was elected Grand Master, and a circular letter was sent to all the Lodges inviting them to be present at the services of "installment."
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<blockquote>
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''LETTER TO JOHN LOWELL.''<br>
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<br>
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Dr John Lowell at Marblehead.<br>
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<br>
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Boston, Octo. 31, 1768.<br>
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<br>
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''Sir:'' The Grand Lodge here having made choice of the Rt. Wor. John Rowe Esq; to be their Grand Master, in the room of the late Rt. Wor. Jeremy Gridley, Esq; deceased, and applied to the Grand Master of England for a Deputation, for the said Bro. Rowe, which deputation, being now arrived, they have appointed Wednesday the 23'1 day of November next for his Installment, and directed me to write to all the Lodges in New England to desire their attendance, with the Jewells and cloathing of their respective Lodges at said ceremony. Whereupon, in obedience to the command of the Grand Lodge, I do invite you, the Officers and Brethren of the Lodge in Marblehead, to attend the Time above mentioned.<br>
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,br>
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As I am uncertain who the present Master of the Lodge at Marblehead may be, do take the liberty to direct to you as you was the first Master of that Lodge. Praying you will communicate this letter to the present Master, Wardens and Brethren of said Lodge, forthwith, and should be glad of a line from the said Master to inform me, how many Brethren may probably attend heife, that provision may he made accordingly.<br>
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<br>
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Your compliance will greatly oblige<br>
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<br>
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Your affectionate Brother and<br>
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Humble Servant<br>
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ABm. Savage, Gd Secy. <br>
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<br>
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''N.B.  No answer received to the Above.''
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</blockquote>
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Some time after John Rowe had been installed into office, Samuel Glover and others made an application for a charter, which you will find over the signature of the Grand Master on the old charter of our Lodge, but the Brethren not meeting once in twelve months it was forfeited. No further mention is made of the Lodge in the Grand Lodge Records, and there are no Records of the Lodge itself to tell the further story of its existence until 1778.
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Up to this time the Lodge had worked under the commission to Dr. Lowell.
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A charter bearing date Jan. 14, 1778, was now issued to John Roads, Richard Harris and others. This old document, of which the Lodge is justly proud, is still in its possession and is here to-day. It is a silent witness to the vicissitudes through which the Lodge has passed during the last one hundred and twenty-two years. Upon this instrument are borne the names of five Grand Masters, among others that of Paul Revere, who was probably well acquainted with some of the ardent patriots who were members of this Lodge.
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In this charter Richard Harris was named as Master, and occupied that position for three years. He was well known in his day, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. During the exciting days preceding the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, he was one of the committee to approve the men who first enlisted in defence of the town, and to pay them for their service. He was the first Collector of Customs of this district, and as a selectman signed the address of welcome to Washington, when he visited this town in 1789. Harris, I judge, was a man of most punctual and methodical habits; he was seldom  absent from a meeting of the Lodge, and after his term as Master had expired was constantly serving on committees. His regular habits and devotion left their impress upon the Lodge; the work was good and many Masons were admitted.
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It was not uncommon in those days to receive applications from surrounding towns, and even from other States, and in such cases, "it being an urgent necessity," the candidate was initiated on the night of his election. The order of business and power of the Master were much the same as to-day, showing that we have received, unimpaired, some of the valuable precedents of the Order. All business was done on the first degree, and it is strange to us in these days to read of a candidate just initiated taking part in the business of the Lodge and serving on important committees.
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Many an incident attests the determination of the Brethren to preserve harmony in the Lodge. No breach of decorum, inattention to business or strained relations between Brothers were suffered to exist. The membership of the Lodge was composed of well-to-do merchants, sea-captains and men of influence in civil and military affairs. Any breach of the amenities which should exist between the Brethren was to them a blow at authority, and received immediate correction at the hands of the Master or the Lodge. I will give, in the words of the record itself, a few instances of the care with which our Brothers investigated breaches of behavior, and of the strict discipline which they meted out to the offender. On one occasion,
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<blockquote>
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"A committee of five of the Brethren were made choice of to inquire into the character of Bro. J. P., Junior Warden, to see whether the various reports relative to his moral character are such as are commendable, and entitle him to the favor and esteem of his Brethren. The committee are Rt. Wor. Bro. Richard Harris, Bro. Edward Fettyplace, Bro. John Barnard Swett, Bro. Elisha Story and Bro. John Gerry, and make report to the Lodge next Lodge night."<br>
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<br>
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"The committee made choice of last Lodge night to inquire into Bro. J. P.'s character reports that Bro. J. P., in consequence of the vote past last Lodge night respecting himself, has vacated his seat and office, and renounced the jurisdiction of this Lodge," which report was accepted.<br>
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<br>
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"''Voted'', That a committee be chosen to draft a letter to be sent to the Rt. Wor. John Rowe, Esq., and the Rt. Wor. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWebb Joseph Webb], Esq., and all the Lodges in the vicinity, acquainting them of the conduct of J. P., formerly the Junior Warden of this Lodge, and that Brother Trevett, Brother Story and Bro. Samuel R. Gerry be that committee.<br>
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<br>
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"''Voted'', That Bro. J. P. be expelled this Lodge during pleasure. ''Voted'', That the Rt. Wor. Master Richard Harris sign the letter sent to the Rt. Wor. Master John Rowe, Esq., and to the Rt. Wor. Master Joseph Webb, Esq., and that the Secretary sign the letters sent to all the Lodges in the vicinity per order of the Lodge."<br>
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<br>
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In {Mass.} Grand Lodge, "A letter from Richard Harris, Master of a Lodge at Marblehead, Representing the Mai Conduct of J. P. was read & referred to the Next Lodge Night."<br>
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<br>
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Again, " In consequence of the misbehaviour of Bro. R. H. as steward, Voted unanimously that he be dismissed from the said office, and further voted that forasmuch as Bro. H. has behaved to the Lodge with great disrespect, and has beeu contrary to the duty of a good and faithful Brother that he be publickly reprimanded by the Master as having given a general displeasure."
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</blockquote>
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But a more flagrant case occurred in the course of a few years, which was dealt with in a more summary manner. "Thro the course of the evening Brother I. J.'s conduct towards two of the Brethren was such that destroyed that harmony which should ever exist in a Lodge, when it was ' unanimously voted that the said I. J. hath incurred the just displeasure of this Lodge from his acting unworthy the character of a true Mason and gentleman, and that his name be erased from the By-Laws of this Lodge, considered no longer a member thereof."
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An amusing case of disagreement between two Brothers occurred, which is told in the words of the record thus:
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"And a motion was made by Brother Reed and Brother Ryan that the unhappy dispute between them should be left to three members of the Lodge, and agreeable to their motion Brother Reed made choice of Brother Williams and Brother Ryan of Brother Roads, and the Lodge of Bro. John Gerry; and Brother Ryan wished damnation might seize his soul if he submitted to the report of the committee made choice of, if they allowed Brother Reed the commission on money. But at a special Lodge called on Bro. William Ryan's account, Brother Ryan appeared and acknowledged his fault, and asked the forgiveness of the whole Lodge for his former behavior, and it was voted that he should be received into favor."
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The Lodge met at first in the house of the Widow King, but having outgrown its accommodations, it made arrangements with Peter Jayne to occupy his assembly rooms, at the rent of sixteen cords of wood per annum. Peter Jayne was a schoolmaster and kept a celebrated school in the old colonial days. This house is on Mugford Street, next but one to Back Street.
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In this house the Committee of Safety held its meetings in the exciting days just preceding the Revolution, and as the most prominent members of the committee were Masons, it is easily explained why this house was chosen for a Lodge-room. Here also the Tuesday Evening Club met, and here, in later years, was organized the Methodist church. In this historic spot the Lodge now began to hold its meetings, and it was indeed a notable company of men that gathered here: the gallant Gen. John Glover, Col. Wm. R. Lee, soldier, gentleman and merchant, the bluff and intrepid Capt. Saml. R. Trevett, the active and energetic Dr. Elisha Story, the dauntless hero Robert Wormstead, the learned and celebrated Judge Sewall, afterward chief justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, the patriotic civilian Joshua Orne, and many merchants and sea-captains whose business took them into foreign waters. Indeed, this place would have become historic from the mere fact alone that this Lodge met there. The name of Wormstead deserves especial mention here, for the fearless spirit and the noble and generous heart which make that name illustrious. Robert Wormstead was born in Marblehead in 1755, and was lost at sea in 1782. In a short life of twenty-seven years he distinguished himself as one of the boldest and most adroit heroes of the time.
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At an early age he evinced a strong desire to go to sea, and his father, being master of a vessel, took him on one voyage, thinking to cure him of his passion. On his return he was apprenticed to Thomas Grant and learned the trade of a silversmith. In June, 1780, just before the celebration of St. John's day, the Lodge voted "that Bro. Robt. Wormstead make the cross pens for the Secretary and a key for the Treasurer, and that he have an order on the Treasurer for four hard dollars to make the same." These jewels were in the possession of the Lodge until the great conflagration of December, 1888, which swept out of existence all the property of the Lodge, except the Bible presented to the Lodge in 1886 by members of the Grand Lodge, and the historic square and compasses which were taken from the cabin of the powder ship ''Hope'', captured from the British by James Mugford in 1776. No amount of diversion, however, could smother young Wormstead's longing for the sea, and in a seaport town like Marblehead opportunities for satisfying his desire were always at hand.
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As a master of fence Wormstead was invincible, and many thrilling stories are told of his encounters. "He is the only pupil I ever had," says his teacher, " with whom I was afraid to contend." At the North Bridge, in Salem, when Leslie's regiment was on its way to Danvers to capture the arms and ammunition concealed there by the patriots, he was attacked by a party of British soldiers, and, though armed with a walking-stick only, he quickly disarmed six of them and the rest took to disordered flight. In 1775, when the British frigate " Lively" lay in the harbor, a party of twelve or more of the sailors, armed with their short swords, were at the old tavern on Front street carousing and boasting about the prowess of the British sailors. One of them said that one British seaman was more than a match for a dozen Yankees. Wormstead was sitting quietly in a corner, but his blood was up in an instant, and seizing a stick he challenged the whole company to instant combat, and disarmed them all so quickly that they fled to the ship in precipitation. He was at the Battle of Bunker Hill with Capt. Saml. R. Trevett, as first sergeant, and received a wound in the shoulder.
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But the prowess of this remarkable man was not confined to the land. The early love which he had imbibed for the sea now led him to go privateering, and his exploits would form a most romantic tale. In a trip to Bilboa be was captured, and with one man and a boy left on board the ship, while the others were transferred on board the captor. With the aid of the man and boy he retook the ship and carried her safely to Bilboa. On another occasion he was captured, and with the crew taken on board an English privateer sloop, where they were all handcuffed and thrown into the hold. Wormstead succeeded in freeing his hands, set all the rest at liberty, and, by a concerted movement, captured the sloop, bore down upon the British prize and retook her. This heroic exploit was long the subject of conversation and applause. By deeds like these he distinguished himself, and his example as a patriot and true-hearted Mason will be cherished for many years to come by all patriotic Americans.
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A character of altogether a different kind also deserves mention here.
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Samuel Sewall was born in Boston in 1757. He was educated at Dummer Academy and Harvard College, and studied law in the office of Chief Justice Dana. He began the practice of his profession in Marblehead, at a time when she was second to Boston alone in commercial importance and activity. He became an authority on commercial and probate law, and his judgment on these branches of the law was relied on by his associates on the bench.
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His fellow-citizens honored him with several elections to the General Court of Massachusetts, and while there he distinguished  himself for eloquence and convincing argument. He was opposed to innovations in the law, and succeeded in defeating a measure to make perjury in the case of a witness in capital cases punishable with death; and a measure which sought to overthrow the old common law system of special pleading.
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In 1797 he was elected to Congress and became at once an influential and valuable member. His rare judgment and knowledge on commercial affairs gained for him the entire confidence of the House, and when he took part in debate "members of all descriptions listened with an expectation of being informed and an assurance that they should not be deceived."
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While a member of Congress he was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, and for fourteen years held that honorable and responsible position, the last four as Chief Justice. In the formative period of our jurisprudence, Judge Sewall was peculiarly qualified to lend a guiding hand. His life and studies covered the final period of the provincial system as well as the beginning of the new, and much was done by him to adapt the law to the changed conditions of the country.
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In private life and manners he was faultless; diffident and reserved in social life, with a deep sense of his responsibility in every station of life. His interest in and devotion to this Lodge was manifested in his frequent appointment on committees, in his service as an officer of the Lodge, and in the ready gift of his eloquence in the celebration of the Feasts of St. John. Whether serving as one of the committee to remove the Lodge to new quarters or as Senior Warden and orator, he was equally to be relied upon. His integrity, learning, sweet and companionable nature endeared him to all classes of his fellow-citizens.
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At the election of officers in 1781, Richard Harris was reelected Master, but declined. Col. Win. R. Lee was then elected and declined. He was held by his Brethren in great respect. He twice declined to serve as Master of the Lodge, although he was often on important committees and held minor offices. Colonel Lee had distinguished himself in the war — he entered the service as captain, rose rapidly to the rank of colonel, and was held in such esteem by Washington that he offered him the position of adjutant-general.
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On the declination of Colonel Lee, Capt. Saml. Russell Trevett was elected Master. Trevett was a Marbleheader of the old stock. There flowed in his veins a spirit trained through generations of ancestors to wrestle with severe fortune and stern discipline. He was by inheritance a resolute man. When, therefore, in compliance with the resolution of the Continental Congress to restrict commercial intercourse with the mother country, the town voted to appoint a committee to suppress the importation of British goods into the town, and fearless men were needed to enforce the vote, he was immediately recognized as one thoroughly qualified to serve on the committee.
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He was one of that intrepid band of young men who in 1775 boarded a prize lying under the protection of the British frigate ''Lively'', and carried away the arms which were on board. These arms were afterwards used in equipping the Marblehead regiment. He commanded a company at the battle of Bunker Hill, and distinguished himself by capturing two cannon, the only ordnance taken in that battle by  the Americans. He was one of the incorporators of the Marblehead Academy and the second Collector of Customs of this district.
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This bluff hero accepted the position of Master and held the office for a year. Not much was done in the way of work during his term, but the finances of the Lodge were closely scrutinized, and the By-Laws were revised, a piece of work which was always at hand when other business failed, and in which the Brethren took especial interest, if we may judge by the number of times it was done during these forty years. The usual charity was dispensed, funerals attended, and festivals celebrated ; and although there was no work whatever, it is noticeable that almost all the meetings were fully attended.
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In 1782 Colonel Lee was elected Master, and again declined the honor. Elisha Story was elected and held the office until 1803.
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This sturdy Revolutionary patriot was born in Boston Dec. 3, 1743, educated as a physician, and in 1770 removed to Marblehead to pursue the practice of his profession. He was distinguished for his intense loyalty to the patriot cause, was one of the Sons of Liberty, and in 1773 of the party who with fearless audacity boarded the ships in Boston harbor and poured the contents of three hundred and forty-two chests of tea into the water. He was surgeon in Colonel Little's regiment, and in this capacity engaged at the fight in Concord and Lexington, fighting on foot like the common soldier, until his services as surgeon were required by the wounded soldiers. At the battle of Bunker Hill he fought beside his friend Warren until that hero fell. He was a member of the Committee of Safety and of the Tuesday Evening Club in this town, in close touch with [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRevere Paul Revere] and other prominent Masons, members of the Sons of Liberty. This ardent patriot now became Master of the Lodge.
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During the course of the following year a controversy arose with Brother Burdick — at whose house the Lodge was now holding its meetings — over the amount of rent which should be paid for the room. The difference of opinion was evidently hard to settle, and the controversy had become exciting as well as annoying, when a committee of five was appointed "to determine the rent of the present Lodge-room with Brother Burdick," and the following characteristic vote was passed: "''Voted'', If either of said committee neglect to attend for the above business when called on by the chairman shall pay three dollars as a fund for the Lodge, and if the above committee do not report next Lodge night, that each one of the committee shall pay six shillings as a fund for the Lodge." This vote had the effect of procuring a report of the committee as ordered, but the controversy was not settled. It was soon after voted to remove the jewels, furniture, etc., from Brother Burdick's to Bro. John Gerry's, there to remain until the Lodge shall meet again. The Lodge did not meet from February, 1784, until Dec. 27, 1784, when the members assembled to celebrate the festival of St. John the Evangelist, and at the close of the festivities they voted that the members present form a Lodge.
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The affairs of the town were now in a precarious condition. The war had destroyed the foreign trade of the merchants of the town, and many of its inhabitants were suffering for lack of work. Vessels lay idle at the docks, and the coopers' shops, sail lofts and riggers' shops were, for the most part, practically closed. In consequence, very little work was done by the Lodge, and few members admitted. Regular meetings were held, however, until April, 1786; at this point the records stop, and do not open again until Feb. 1, 1797. "Whether the Lodge met during these years there is no evidence. They met at that date to attend the funeral of Gen. John Glover, whose name, you will remember, appears on the list of original members who constituted this Lodge.
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Elisha Story is still Master, and holds the office until 1803. The work is good now, and the custom of doing the business of the Lodge on the first degree is discontinued.
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The duty of the Lodge towards its deceased members was performed with the utmost delicacy and consideration. They did not attend the funeral of their Brothers as of right. Although the relations of Masons are peculiarly close, they recognized that the family relation was closer, and respected it. They never attended a funeral without first finding out whether it would be agreeable to the family of the deceased, and then everything was conducted with Masonic regularity and solemnity.
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On one occasion it was "Voted, William R. Lee, Esq., Bro. Elisha Story and Bro. Joshua Orne, Jr., Esq., be a committee to wait on Mr. Jenkins (brother-in-law of a deceased member), and to inform him that a report made by Bro. Burdick last evening, with respect to the Lodge having a design to bury Bro. A. B., was premature and without proper foundation, and to consult with the widow of the deceased whether it was agreeable to her that the Lodge should attend the funeral of said deceased in procession." Said committee report: "They have waited on Mr. Jenkins and removed the impression made on his mind by said report, and that Mary, the widow of said deceased, refuses the interposition of any of her deceased husband's relatives, and earnestly desires he may be buried by and at the expense of his Brethren of this Lodge." It was immediately "''Voted'', That the Brother be buried by and at the expense of the Lodge," and a committee of three Brethren was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The relations between Mary and her deceased husband's family were evidently strained, and she did not propose to be under any obligations to them. During these first years of the Lodge the Brethren never neglected this last tribute of respect to the memory of a deceased Brother; they attend the funeral in goodly numbers, and never forget the collection at their return to the Lodge for the beuefit of the widow and children of the deceased.
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The charity of the Lodge was not always confined to its members. It was dispensed with a liberal hand to any Mason in distress or want. At a meeting held Oct. 14, 1778, a committee was appointed to wait upon the agents of the privateer ''Raven'', then in the harbor, to parole Brother Laborn and Brother Hunter, and we find at the next meeting among those present both these Brothers recorded as visiting Brethren, and on the same night the Lodge made a present to Brother Hunter of £48 os., he being in distress. At the next meeting another visiting Brother, being in want, received£11 lis. At the celebration of St. John's day, June 24, 1779, the Brethren made a present to Bro. John Merret for the loss he has sustained, of 8378. Again the Brethren made "a getherin" for Bro. Alexander Ross, and made him a present of $336&#189;, and $497 for Bro. Walter Perkins.
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At the celebration of St. John the Baptist's day in 1780, Rev. Edw. Bass was invited to preach a sermon to the Brethren, and at the close of the celebration it was " voted that a collection be now made for the benefit of Brother Bass, and as a testimony of our affection for him," and the sum of Si,200 was accordingly collected.
 +
 +
On another occasion, after attending the funeral of a deceased Brother, the Lodge took up a collection of $1,320 for Bro. Thos. Bartlett, who was laboring under a prolonged and tedious fit of sickness, thereby brought to indigent circumstances. Not long after the Brethren assembled in special session to attend the funeral of Brother Bartlett. At three o'clock P.M. (so says the record) the Brethren walked in procession to the house of Mr. Wm. Boden, adjacent to the dwelling-house of the deceased, and after singing a penitential hymn (suitable to the occasion) they attended the funeral. At their return to the house of Brother Boden another hymn was sung; and also at their return to the Lodge, where a collection was made of 76 paper dollars of the new emission, 2 dollars, 3 pestereens, and 2 shillings in specie for the benefit of the widow of the said Bartlett. The whole was conducted with the utmost decency and decorum.
 +
The assistance of the Lodge was not always sought for objects of a purely charitable nature. In one case a petition from Wm. Doyle was presented for the assistance of the Lodge to enable him to settle in this town as a barber, and after consideration was "deferred" to a future meeting. The Brethren, I fancy, were not anxious for the Lodge to engage in commercial pursuits. After considering his case at two subsequent meetings, they appointed him inner tyler, and for his services to be exempt from the expenses of the Lodge. The charity of the Lodge was not dispensed indiscriminately. The Brethren took care to bestow their help on worthy persons and for worthy objects.
 +
 +
The Brethren rarely missed an opportunity of celebrating the Feast of the Saints John in June and December. Obedient to the injunction of their charter that they should "dine together on the festival of St. John the Baptist," as often as the day came round they assembled in goodly numbers to participate in the feast of good things and to mingle in Masonic fellowship. Preparations for the celebration were thorough and ample. Committees were appointed to secure an orator, to provide music both vocal and instrumental, to draw up a bill of fare, to obtain a place in which to dine, which was usually some Brother's house, and to put Masonic regalia in order. Provision was made for the ringing of the first and second bells, and the festival was advertised in some Boston or Salem newspaper. On the day appointed for the celebration the Brethren assembled at the Lodge-room, at the ringing of the church bell, and, after opening the Lodge, walked in procession to the meeting-house where the exercises were to be held. The oration finished, they sang the 133d and 134th Psalms, walked in procession to the Brother's house where the dinner was spread, and returned to the Lodge in the evening.
 +
 +
The records attest the ample provision made for these feasts on more than one occasion. After one of the festivals it is recorded that there were sold to John Gerry 3 dozens of bottles for £6; to Bro. Richard Harris 3 dozens for £2 11 s.; to Bro. Samuel R. Trevett 6 dozens for £4 4s.; and they were paid for on the spot. On another occasion it was voted "that the members present pay Bro. Burdick 3s. a head for dinner, 6d. for each bottle of wine more than the first cost, 2d. for a bowl of punch, and 1d. for a bowl of grogg." I trust no one will accuse our Brothers of an overindulgence in the seductive juices of the grape. While we cannot say that they did not carry their love for imbibing to excess, the sale of so many bottles after the Feast . certainly indicates that they did not go as far as they might. We will not say that a due restraint upon their appetites was not exercised, while the means of satisfying them yet remained so ample. And I am firmly of the persuasion that you will suspend your judgment and acknowledge their moderation, when you learn that the records of the celebration closed with these words: "This festival was celebrated with that concord, brotherly love and harmony that ought always to subsist amongst Brothers and Fellows."
 +
 +
There were other occasions, however, when the Brethren felt like celebrating in a more simple and private way. In 1780 it was "voted that as many of the Brethren as can conveniently attend, celebrate the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, the 27th, at the Lodge and that they have a cold collation in the evening of said day." This apparently was not altogether pleasing to some of the Brethren, for at the next meeting the vote to celebrate St. John's day on a cold collation was recalled, and it was voted that the Brethren dine at the Lodge on said day, and a committee was chosen to provide for the same. At this celebration Bro. Elisha Story gave a short charge to the Brethren present, for which he received the unanimous thanks of the Lodge. After dinner the stewards for the day made up their accounts, which amounted to eighty-five dollars for each Brother present, which was immediately discharged.
 +
 +
Again, it was voted to celebrate the Festival of St. John the Baptist in as private and economical a manner as possible. A subscription paper was passed around, a sufficient number of the Brethren pledged themselves to participate, and after meeting for work the Lodge was closed and the Brethren above mentioned proceeded to the house of Mr. Osgood, in Salem, where they spent the remainder of the day in " social hilarity and mutual enjoyment."
 +
 +
At the time Doctor Lowell received the commission to hold a Lodge in Marblehead there were but two other Lodges in this jurisdiction — [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=StJohnB St. John's], chartered by [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMPrice Henry Price] in 1733, and [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=StAndrew St. Andrew's], chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1756. In 1792 the two existing Grand Lodges united and formed the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, both Lodges retaining their charters as subordinate Lodges. This Lodge had always been known as the Lodge at Marblehead, or the Marblehead Lodge. Aside from an acknowledgment that it held its commission from and acted under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Grand Master for North America there was no close connection between the Lodge at Marblehead and the Grand Lodge. It was therefore voted, on the 26th May, 1797, "that there be a person to wait on the Grand Lodge to represent the situation of this Lodge, and the Right Worthy Brother Story was chosen the committee." Brother Story acted at once, as is shown by the following endorsement on the old charter:
 +
<blockquote>
 +
In Grand Lodge, June 12, 1797.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
The Brethren of the Lodge in Marblehead having sent the charter with a request that their Lodge may be received under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, and that they would give it a name. ''Voted'' the name of the Lodge meeting in Marblehead from henceforth be called the Philanthropic Lodge, and that they hold their precedency in Grand Lodge, agreeable to the date of their charter.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Paul Revere, G. M. <br>
 +
A true copy of record. <br>
 +
Daniel Oliver, Grand Secretary.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 +
Being now fully under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, they received notice that the Grand Lodge intended to make them a visitation. The Lodge made suitable provision for the reception. A committee was appointed to provide a hot supper, and the Brethren «of the Masonic Fraternity in town not members were invited to join with the Lodge in paying their respect and duty to the Grand Lodge.
 +
 +
Among the officers of the Grand Lodge who were present on this occasion was Paul Revere, who, on account of his former intimacy with several members of the Lodge as a leading member of the Sons of Liberty, especially Elisha Story, must have been particularly welcome to the Brethren. • The Lodge was closed in Ample Form at nine o'clock, and soon after the meeting broke up with hearty congratulations on the success of the first visitation of the Grand Officers.
 +
The members of the Grand Lodge present on this occasion were:
 +
* M. Wpl. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMBartlett Josiah Bartlett], G. M.
 +
* Rt. Wpl. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDunn Saml. Dunn], D. G. M.
 +
* Rt. Wpl. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLJLaughton Joseph Laughton], S. G. W.
 +
* Rt. Wpl.  John Brazer,  J.G.W.
 +
* Bro. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLJBoyle John Boyle], G. Treas.
 +
* Bro. Oliver Holden, G. Sec'y.   
 +
* Bro. Allen Crocker, S. G. D.
 +
* Bro. Samuel Swan,  J. G. D.
 +
* Bro. John Ramond, S. G. S.
 +
* Bro. Paul Revere,  J. G. S.
 +
* (Bro. John Wait officiated as Grand Steward.)
 +
 +
At the next meeting the Lodge appointed the Master and Wardens a committee to represent the Lodge at the next Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge.
 +
 +
One other event deserves mention and will bring to a fitting close the first forty years of Masonry in Marblehead.
 +
 +
On the first day of January, 1800, the Lodge held a meeting
for the purpose of adopting some method " to express our grief
 for the death of our illustrious and worthy Brother, General
 George Washington," and it was "voted that the Brethren
wear black crape edged with blue ribbon on the left arm for
thirty days, as a badge of mourning on this solemn and melan
choly occasion."
 +
 +
On the next day they joined a general procession and walked to the new meeting-house, where an elegant and well-adapted eulogy on the life and virtues of our illustrious and beloved Brother, Gen. George Washington, was pronounced by Mr. Joseph Story, the son of the Master of the Lodge. During these forty years Washington had been the central figure in civil and military life. The people of this town regarded him with deep affection and reverence, and the Brethren of this Lodge to-day have reason to revere his character and cherish his memory.
 +
 +
It was a member of this Lodge who, with the Marblehead regiment, met him at Cambridge, and stood close beside him through many a trying time, fraught with difficulty and danger. It was a member of this Lodge who first suggested to him the possibilities of fighting the enemy on the sea; and this suggestion, carried out by many an heroic citizen of this town and member of this Lodge, was the precursor, and indeed the beginning, of the American navy.
 +
 +
It was a member of this Lodge who. with his regiment of Marblehead fishermen, superintended the transportation of troops across the Delaware river on that dark and stormy night in December, 1776, and thus made possible the success at Trenton the next day. It was the same gallant member of this Lodge who, at the evacuation of New York city, and during the subsequent attacks of the enemy, rendered such efficient and courageous service, where many another proved recreant, that he gained the encomiums of the Commander-in-Chief, and from this time until their deaths there existed between them a warm and sincere friendship.
 +
 +
It was a member of this Lodge who, at Bunker Hill, captured from the British the only cannon taken on that memorable day. It was a member of this Lodge who took command at the camp in Cambridge, when disorder was running riot, yet behaved with such humane and thoughtful consideration towards Burgoyne and the other prisoners of war confined there that he won the unqualified praise of his distinguished prisoner. It was he, too, to whom Washington offered the position of adjutant-general of the American army.
 +
 +
Such heroes are only bred in heroic times. When you look back upon events established by generations gone before, it is easy to persuade yourself that, like your ancestors, you would have thrown the weight of your influence in favor of those events, that you would have taken the same measures which they took and avoided the pitfalls which they avoided. The problem is quite a different one when you stand face to face with impending difficulties and are forced to change the established order of things. Revolutions are not always settled upon the best and surest foundations. In all crises it requires men of steady nerve, ripe judgment, strong convictions, men trained under the stress of circumstances, which bring out and develop all the powers and faculties of the mind, to find the light path, and to avoid being led into doubtful and dangerous courses.
 +
 +
Such were the men developed during these forty years, and this old Lodge never bad a more distinguished membership than then. Brethren, this is your heritage. Surely it is well for us to remember these things to-day.
  
 
<hr>
 
<hr>

Revision as of 13:24, 18 November 2014

MA_Philanthropic.jpg

PHILANTHROPIC LODGE

Location: Marblehead

Chartered By: Jeremy Gridley

Charter Date: 03/25/1760 I-67; note that this page shows the lodge in attendance, but the date of charter is only listed on I-69.

Precedence Date: 03/25/1760

Current Status: Active


NOTES

Philanthropic Lodge was chartered by St. John‘s Grand Lodge; it was originally named St. John's #1 in Marblehead, and later simply the Lodge at Marblehead.

Benjamin F. Arrington Lodge merged into Wayfarers Lodge, 05/08/1984, which merged here, 10/05/2006.

MEMBER LIST, 1802

From Vocal Companion and Masonic Register, Boston, 1802, Part II, Page 29:

  • R. W. Elisha Story, M.
  • W. John Chandler, S. W.
  • W. Wm. Blackler, J. W.
  • John Bond, Sec.
  • Jonathan Orne, Tr.
  • John Drury, S. D.
  • Asa Hooper, J. D.
  • John Brown, Steward.
  • John Hines, Steward.

No. of Members, 30.


PAST MASTERS

  • John Lowell, 1760-1776?
  • Richard Harris, 1778
  • Samuel R. Trevett, 1781
  • Elisha Story, 1782-1797, 1802
  • Ralph H. French, 1809, 1825
  • Ebenezer G. Evans, 1810
  • John Chandler, 1811
  • Charter not in force 1811-1821
  • John Bartlett, 1821-1824, 1845
  • Josiah P. Cressey, 1826, 1827, 1831
  • Samuel S. Trefry, 1825, 1832, 1834, 1846
  • John Traill, 1828, 1830
  • Charter not in force 1834-1846
  • David Blaney, 1847, 1858
  • H.H.F. Whittemore, 1859, 1862
  • Michael J. Doak, 1863, 1866, 1875, 1876, 1880, 1881
  • Jonathan Cole, 1867, 1868
  • Benjamin Pitman, 1869, 1872, 1882
  • William H. Wormstead, 1873, 1874
  • Charter not in force 1876-1880
  • William W. Dodge, 1883
  • Horace Goodwin, 1884, 1885
  • William D.T. Trefry, 1886, 1887
  • Frank Lackey, 1888, 1889
  • Emery Brown, 1890, 1891
  • Stephen W. Power, 1892, 1893
  • Benjamin Cole, Jr., 1894, 1895
  • P. Howard Shirley, 1896, 1897
  • George P. Graves, 1898, 1899
  • Winthrop Brown, 1900, 1901
  • George S. Goss, 1902, 1903
  • Charles Goodwin, 1904, 1905
  • Horace B. Gardner 1906, 1907
  • Edward G. Brown, 1908, 1909; SN
  • Clinton A. Ferguson, 1910, 1911
  • Henry G. Trefry, 1912, 1913,
  • Charles H. King, 1914, 1915
  • Harrie K. Nutting, 1916, 1917
  • Richard T. Cole, 1918, 1919
  • Amos H. Humphrey, 1920, 1921
  • J. Edgar Parker, 1922, 1923
  • Arthur L. Swasey, 1924
  • Ackley R. Slee, 1925
  • Rufus L. Titus, 1926, 1927
  • Arthur M. Humphrey 1928, 1929
  • William L. Nickerson, 1930, 1931
  • Chester M. Damon, 1932, 1933
  • Clarence E. Chapman, 1934, 1935
  • Lewis Doane, 1936, 1937; N
  • Chester C. Parker, 1938, 1939
  • William Chisholm, 1940, 1941
  • Warren E. Horne, 1942, 1943
  • Carl B. Gleason, 1944, 1945
  • G. Jeffrey Nichols, 1946, 1947
  • Harry O. Hiltz, 1948, 1949; N
  • Kenneth H. Martin, 1950, 1951
  • Benjamin F. Martin, 1952, 1953
  • Nilsson S. Bassett, 1954, 1955
  • Robert D. Fallon, 1956, 1957; N
  • Irving B. Oliver, 1958, 1959
  • George S. Lawler, Sr., 1960, 1961
  • Richard M. Seibel, II, 1962, 1963
  • George E. Taylor, Jr, 1964, 1965
  • Donald T. Welch, 1966, 1967
  • George S. Lawler, Jr., 1968
  • Raymond K. Burns, Jr. 1969
  • Robert B. Clark, 1971, 1972
  • Douglas F. Hulsman, 1973, 1974; N
  • John R. Blaney, 1975, 1976; PDDGM
  • Robert P.B. Wright, 1977, 1978
  • Charles H. Briggs, 1979, 1980
  • James T. Martin, Jr., 1981, 1982
  • James C. Full, 1983, 1984
  • Dincer Ulutas, 1985, 1986
  • Kenneth O. Glass, 1987, 1988
  • Peter J. B. Teague, 1989, 1990
  • E. Gordon Lothrop, 1991, 1992
  • Richard C. Smith Jr., 1993, 1994
  • Glover B. Preble, Jr., 1995, 1996
  • G. Dudley Welch, 1997, 1998
  • David N. Riordan, 1999, 2000
  • J. Michael Riordan, 2001, 2002
  • John F. Belanger, 2003, 2004
  • Timothy J. Doane, 2005, 2006
  • William H. Kelley, 2007, 2008
  • Allan J. Martin, 2009, 2010; DDGM
  • Jonathan F. Morley, 2011, 2012

Note: John Lowell (1734-1776) is not Rt. Wor. John Lowell, later Deputy Grand Master; he was a physician in Marblehead. He was Master of the Lodge as late as 1768; see the correspondence with Grand Lodge, Page I-144.

YEARS

1760->1809 1810

1821

charter restored 03/10/1845

1845 1858 1870 1871

charter surrendered 1876; restored 1880

1880 1882 1886 1888 1889 1900 1905 1906 1908 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1920 1921 1922 1926 1928 1930 1934 1935 1937 1939 1960 1962 1963 1965 1968 1970 1977 1983 1985 1989 1993 1994 1995 2001 2004 2006 2007 2010


EVENTS

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. VI, No. 4, February 1847, p. 108:

On the 20th, the officers of Philanthropic Lodge, Marblehead, were publicly installed. Address by Rev. Br. Randall.

HISTORY

HISTORICAL ADDRESS, MARCH 1900

From Proceedings, Page 1900-45:

By William D.T. Trefry.

THE FIRST FORTY YEARS OF MASONRY IN MARBLEHEAD.

This time one hundred and forty years ago, in the latter part of March, 1760, our Masonic forefathers, who constituted this Lodge, stood between two important historical events — the one just past; the other to come. The victory of General Wolfe on the Heights of Abraham. the year before, gave to England exclusive control of the whole eastern coast of the continent from Canada to Florida, and laid the foundation for American independence. Those of our forefathers who took part in this war were soon to witness another event of equal importance in its influence upon the Colonies. The accession of George III. to the throne of his grandfather in October, 1760, imbued with the desire to be king though men and principle were sacrificed, narrow and stubborn, self-willed and ignorant, hastened that remarkable train of events by which he was quickly shorn of the fairest possession of his crown.

The Navigation Acts, followed by his efforts to enforce the Stamp Act, and taxes upon commodities, soon raised the determined resistance of his subjects in America, and resulted in the final severance of the Colonies from the mother country. Of the celebrated characters who took part in these events, Marblehead furnished her full share. It is no exaggeration to say that, in proportion to her size, no place furnished more men, or gave greater evidence of her patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty. In these and subsequent events the men who formed and sustained this Lodge for the first forty years of its existence were among the foremost heroes of the Revolutionary period.

Midway between these two events a little band of Masons took measures to form a Lodge in Marblehead. They were authorized by the commission of Jeremy Gridley, Provincial Grand Master of North America. This commission, as far as known, is not now in existence, but the Records of the Grand Lodge show in several places that the commission to hold the Lodge at Marblehead was granted to Dr. John Lowell, March 25, 1760. There is no record of the proceedings in the possession of the Lodge from this time till 1778, and it is doubtful if any was kept. The following letter, which has recently come into the possession of the Grand Lodge, throws light upon the proceedings, and discloses the names of the men who were associated with Dr. Lowell in the organization of the Lodge:

LETTER OF DR. JOHN LOWELL.

Marblehead April 10. 5760.

To the Right Worshipfull Brother
John Leverett, Grand Secretary.

Right Worshipful Brother, I Rec'd the Commission you sent me from the Right Worshipfull Grand Master bearing Date the 25th Ult°. to Act as Master of a Lodge in Marblehead. When I have a Convenient Oppertunity in person I shall Endeavour to Acknowlege the favour in a proper manner to him & the Rest of the Right Worshipfull Officers. I Likewise have Received your Letter of the 2d. Inst: Inviting me & my Wardens by Order of the Right Worshipfull Grand Master to the Grand Lodge or Quarterly Communication. I Am Sorry I cant do myself that Pleasure, My Wife Expecting to Lay in with a Child this month & the Time is so Uncertain that I cant possibly be from home, But our Brothers Glover and Tucker whom I have Appointed my Wardens (Pro Tempore) will wait upon you. Inclosed I have sent you the Names of those whom I found to be Brethren in the Town and whom I have made at two meetings 6ince I opened the Lodge. I have thought fit at present to hold our Lodge in a Chamber of our Brother Tukers House which is at the Entrance of the Town the Largest and Best Situated upon all Accounts we have among us. The Night of our Meeting is the first Thursday in every Month. Our Last Meeting Consisted of Twenty in Number when I mentioned to them the Charity for our poor Brethren. As We have Been at Considerable Expcnce for Things Necessary to furnish our Lodge Genteelly it has taken up all the Money in our Box which we have got by Admitting New Brethren and more, so that we could not send you so much as perhaps this Necessitous time requires, our Lodge being Young & Few. But as a Number of our Brethren have we Collected among us Forty pounds Old Tenor which my Wardens will deliver you & hope the Sum tho' Small will be acceptable.
I am Right Worshipfull
Your Humble Servant & Brother
Jn". Lowell

A List of Brothers before the Opening of a Lodge in Marblehead
and Belonging to the Same Town.

  • Samuel Glover S: W:
  • Andrew Tucker J: W:
  • John Roades Secy.
  • Jonathan Glover Treasurer
  • Henery Saunders
  • Samuel Reed
  • John Glover
  • George Stacey
  • Edward Middlesex Walker.
  • Andrew Tuker Junr.
  • John Peirce
  • John Reed Junr.


A List of Brothers Admitted in the New Lodge at Marblehead
all belonging to Marblehead

  • John Cawley
  • Thomas Lewis
  • Edward Fitterplace
  • John Pulling
  • Thomas King
  • Thomas Dixey
  • Thomas Aden
  • Richard Harris
  • except Edward Draper Holford of St. Kitts.

The superscription on the above letter is as follows: John Leverett Mercht. in Boston.

Brother Tucker's house, mentioned in this letter as the place of the first meetings of the Lodge, stands on Rowland street, now long known as the house owned and occupied by Commodore Samuel Tucker, of Revolutionary fame.

You will notice also the names of Brig.-Gen. John Glover and Col. Jonathan Glover, both celebrated for the distinguished part they took in the War of the Revolution ; and among the others, men of financial standing and commercial enterprise. Until to-day I have not been able clearly to establish Dr. Lowell's identity. He was a practising physician, and it might be inferred from his letter that he had not been long settled in town. The Probate Records at Salem show that he died in Marblehead, and that Thomas Lewis, whose name appears in the foregoing list, was appointed administrator of his estate June 3, 1777. From the fact that this letter was found among the effects of the late Judge Lowell, of Boston, I infer that he was a member of that distinguished family.

There was little communication between the Marblehead Lodge and the Grand Lodge; but the Records of the Grand Lodge disclose that at a Quarterly Communication holden at Boston April 11, 1760, the Marblehead Lodge presented for charity, by Bro. Samuel Glover, S.W., and Bro. Andrew Tucker, J.W., £5 6s. 8d., and at the October Communication " For the Marblehead Lodge, Bro. Thomas Lewis presented 18 shillings." A minute is also to be found in these Records that the Lodge was represented at the meeting held July 10, 1761, and at two Communications in 1762. After this time the Lodge is not mentioned as being represented at the meetings of the Grand Lodge, but an entry is made at every Communication that the Marblehead Lodge is under its jurisdiction up to and including July 23, 1767. In the petition to the Grand Master of England, dated Jan. 25, 1768, praying for the appointment of a Grand Master of Masons in place of Jeremy Gridley, deceased, the Marblehead Lodge is mentioned as being in this government, constituted March 25, 1760.

Oct. 31, 1768, Rt. Wor. John Rowe, Esq., was elected Grand Master, and a circular letter was sent to all the Lodges inviting them to be present at the services of "installment."

LETTER TO JOHN LOWELL.

Dr John Lowell at Marblehead.

Boston, Octo. 31, 1768.

Sir: The Grand Lodge here having made choice of the Rt. Wor. John Rowe Esq; to be their Grand Master, in the room of the late Rt. Wor. Jeremy Gridley, Esq; deceased, and applied to the Grand Master of England for a Deputation, for the said Bro. Rowe, which deputation, being now arrived, they have appointed Wednesday the 23'1 day of November next for his Installment, and directed me to write to all the Lodges in New England to desire their attendance, with the Jewells and cloathing of their respective Lodges at said ceremony. Whereupon, in obedience to the command of the Grand Lodge, I do invite you, the Officers and Brethren of the Lodge in Marblehead, to attend the Time above mentioned.
,br> As I am uncertain who the present Master of the Lodge at Marblehead may be, do take the liberty to direct to you as you was the first Master of that Lodge. Praying you will communicate this letter to the present Master, Wardens and Brethren of said Lodge, forthwith, and should be glad of a line from the said Master to inform me, how many Brethren may probably attend heife, that provision may he made accordingly.

Your compliance will greatly oblige

Your affectionate Brother and
Humble Servant
ABm. Savage, Gd Secy.

N.B. No answer received to the Above.

Some time after John Rowe had been installed into office, Samuel Glover and others made an application for a charter, which you will find over the signature of the Grand Master on the old charter of our Lodge, but the Brethren not meeting once in twelve months it was forfeited. No further mention is made of the Lodge in the Grand Lodge Records, and there are no Records of the Lodge itself to tell the further story of its existence until 1778.

Up to this time the Lodge had worked under the commission to Dr. Lowell.

A charter bearing date Jan. 14, 1778, was now issued to John Roads, Richard Harris and others. This old document, of which the Lodge is justly proud, is still in its possession and is here to-day. It is a silent witness to the vicissitudes through which the Lodge has passed during the last one hundred and twenty-two years. Upon this instrument are borne the names of five Grand Masters, among others that of Paul Revere, who was probably well acquainted with some of the ardent patriots who were members of this Lodge.

In this charter Richard Harris was named as Master, and occupied that position for three years. He was well known in his day, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. During the exciting days preceding the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, he was one of the committee to approve the men who first enlisted in defence of the town, and to pay them for their service. He was the first Collector of Customs of this district, and as a selectman signed the address of welcome to Washington, when he visited this town in 1789. Harris, I judge, was a man of most punctual and methodical habits; he was seldom absent from a meeting of the Lodge, and after his term as Master had expired was constantly serving on committees. His regular habits and devotion left their impress upon the Lodge; the work was good and many Masons were admitted.

It was not uncommon in those days to receive applications from surrounding towns, and even from other States, and in such cases, "it being an urgent necessity," the candidate was initiated on the night of his election. The order of business and power of the Master were much the same as to-day, showing that we have received, unimpaired, some of the valuable precedents of the Order. All business was done on the first degree, and it is strange to us in these days to read of a candidate just initiated taking part in the business of the Lodge and serving on important committees.

Many an incident attests the determination of the Brethren to preserve harmony in the Lodge. No breach of decorum, inattention to business or strained relations between Brothers were suffered to exist. The membership of the Lodge was composed of well-to-do merchants, sea-captains and men of influence in civil and military affairs. Any breach of the amenities which should exist between the Brethren was to them a blow at authority, and received immediate correction at the hands of the Master or the Lodge. I will give, in the words of the record itself, a few instances of the care with which our Brothers investigated breaches of behavior, and of the strict discipline which they meted out to the offender. On one occasion,

"A committee of five of the Brethren were made choice of to inquire into the character of Bro. J. P., Junior Warden, to see whether the various reports relative to his moral character are such as are commendable, and entitle him to the favor and esteem of his Brethren. The committee are Rt. Wor. Bro. Richard Harris, Bro. Edward Fettyplace, Bro. John Barnard Swett, Bro. Elisha Story and Bro. John Gerry, and make report to the Lodge next Lodge night."

"The committee made choice of last Lodge night to inquire into Bro. J. P.'s character reports that Bro. J. P., in consequence of the vote past last Lodge night respecting himself, has vacated his seat and office, and renounced the jurisdiction of this Lodge," which report was accepted.

"Voted, That a committee be chosen to draft a letter to be sent to the Rt. Wor. John Rowe, Esq., and the Rt. Wor. Joseph Webb, Esq., and all the Lodges in the vicinity, acquainting them of the conduct of J. P., formerly the Junior Warden of this Lodge, and that Brother Trevett, Brother Story and Bro. Samuel R. Gerry be that committee.

"Voted, That Bro. J. P. be expelled this Lodge during pleasure. Voted, That the Rt. Wor. Master Richard Harris sign the letter sent to the Rt. Wor. Master John Rowe, Esq., and to the Rt. Wor. Master Joseph Webb, Esq., and that the Secretary sign the letters sent to all the Lodges in the vicinity per order of the Lodge."

In {Mass.} Grand Lodge, "A letter from Richard Harris, Master of a Lodge at Marblehead, Representing the Mai Conduct of J. P. was read & referred to the Next Lodge Night."

Again, " In consequence of the misbehaviour of Bro. R. H. as steward, Voted unanimously that he be dismissed from the said office, and further voted that forasmuch as Bro. H. has behaved to the Lodge with great disrespect, and has beeu contrary to the duty of a good and faithful Brother that he be publickly reprimanded by the Master as having given a general displeasure."

But a more flagrant case occurred in the course of a few years, which was dealt with in a more summary manner. "Thro the course of the evening Brother I. J.'s conduct towards two of the Brethren was such that destroyed that harmony which should ever exist in a Lodge, when it was ' unanimously voted that the said I. J. hath incurred the just displeasure of this Lodge from his acting unworthy the character of a true Mason and gentleman, and that his name be erased from the By-Laws of this Lodge, considered no longer a member thereof."

An amusing case of disagreement between two Brothers occurred, which is told in the words of the record thus: "And a motion was made by Brother Reed and Brother Ryan that the unhappy dispute between them should be left to three members of the Lodge, and agreeable to their motion Brother Reed made choice of Brother Williams and Brother Ryan of Brother Roads, and the Lodge of Bro. John Gerry; and Brother Ryan wished damnation might seize his soul if he submitted to the report of the committee made choice of, if they allowed Brother Reed the commission on money. But at a special Lodge called on Bro. William Ryan's account, Brother Ryan appeared and acknowledged his fault, and asked the forgiveness of the whole Lodge for his former behavior, and it was voted that he should be received into favor." The Lodge met at first in the house of the Widow King, but having outgrown its accommodations, it made arrangements with Peter Jayne to occupy his assembly rooms, at the rent of sixteen cords of wood per annum. Peter Jayne was a schoolmaster and kept a celebrated school in the old colonial days. This house is on Mugford Street, next but one to Back Street.

In this house the Committee of Safety held its meetings in the exciting days just preceding the Revolution, and as the most prominent members of the committee were Masons, it is easily explained why this house was chosen for a Lodge-room. Here also the Tuesday Evening Club met, and here, in later years, was organized the Methodist church. In this historic spot the Lodge now began to hold its meetings, and it was indeed a notable company of men that gathered here: the gallant Gen. John Glover, Col. Wm. R. Lee, soldier, gentleman and merchant, the bluff and intrepid Capt. Saml. R. Trevett, the active and energetic Dr. Elisha Story, the dauntless hero Robert Wormstead, the learned and celebrated Judge Sewall, afterward chief justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, the patriotic civilian Joshua Orne, and many merchants and sea-captains whose business took them into foreign waters. Indeed, this place would have become historic from the mere fact alone that this Lodge met there. The name of Wormstead deserves especial mention here, for the fearless spirit and the noble and generous heart which make that name illustrious. Robert Wormstead was born in Marblehead in 1755, and was lost at sea in 1782. In a short life of twenty-seven years he distinguished himself as one of the boldest and most adroit heroes of the time.

At an early age he evinced a strong desire to go to sea, and his father, being master of a vessel, took him on one voyage, thinking to cure him of his passion. On his return he was apprenticed to Thomas Grant and learned the trade of a silversmith. In June, 1780, just before the celebration of St. John's day, the Lodge voted "that Bro. Robt. Wormstead make the cross pens for the Secretary and a key for the Treasurer, and that he have an order on the Treasurer for four hard dollars to make the same." These jewels were in the possession of the Lodge until the great conflagration of December, 1888, which swept out of existence all the property of the Lodge, except the Bible presented to the Lodge in 1886 by members of the Grand Lodge, and the historic square and compasses which were taken from the cabin of the powder ship Hope, captured from the British by James Mugford in 1776. No amount of diversion, however, could smother young Wormstead's longing for the sea, and in a seaport town like Marblehead opportunities for satisfying his desire were always at hand.

As a master of fence Wormstead was invincible, and many thrilling stories are told of his encounters. "He is the only pupil I ever had," says his teacher, " with whom I was afraid to contend." At the North Bridge, in Salem, when Leslie's regiment was on its way to Danvers to capture the arms and ammunition concealed there by the patriots, he was attacked by a party of British soldiers, and, though armed with a walking-stick only, he quickly disarmed six of them and the rest took to disordered flight. In 1775, when the British frigate " Lively" lay in the harbor, a party of twelve or more of the sailors, armed with their short swords, were at the old tavern on Front street carousing and boasting about the prowess of the British sailors. One of them said that one British seaman was more than a match for a dozen Yankees. Wormstead was sitting quietly in a corner, but his blood was up in an instant, and seizing a stick he challenged the whole company to instant combat, and disarmed them all so quickly that they fled to the ship in precipitation. He was at the Battle of Bunker Hill with Capt. Saml. R. Trevett, as first sergeant, and received a wound in the shoulder.

But the prowess of this remarkable man was not confined to the land. The early love which he had imbibed for the sea now led him to go privateering, and his exploits would form a most romantic tale. In a trip to Bilboa be was captured, and with one man and a boy left on board the ship, while the others were transferred on board the captor. With the aid of the man and boy he retook the ship and carried her safely to Bilboa. On another occasion he was captured, and with the crew taken on board an English privateer sloop, where they were all handcuffed and thrown into the hold. Wormstead succeeded in freeing his hands, set all the rest at liberty, and, by a concerted movement, captured the sloop, bore down upon the British prize and retook her. This heroic exploit was long the subject of conversation and applause. By deeds like these he distinguished himself, and his example as a patriot and true-hearted Mason will be cherished for many years to come by all patriotic Americans.

A character of altogether a different kind also deserves mention here.

Samuel Sewall was born in Boston in 1757. He was educated at Dummer Academy and Harvard College, and studied law in the office of Chief Justice Dana. He began the practice of his profession in Marblehead, at a time when she was second to Boston alone in commercial importance and activity. He became an authority on commercial and probate law, and his judgment on these branches of the law was relied on by his associates on the bench.

His fellow-citizens honored him with several elections to the General Court of Massachusetts, and while there he distinguished himself for eloquence and convincing argument. He was opposed to innovations in the law, and succeeded in defeating a measure to make perjury in the case of a witness in capital cases punishable with death; and a measure which sought to overthrow the old common law system of special pleading.

In 1797 he was elected to Congress and became at once an influential and valuable member. His rare judgment and knowledge on commercial affairs gained for him the entire confidence of the House, and when he took part in debate "members of all descriptions listened with an expectation of being informed and an assurance that they should not be deceived."

While a member of Congress he was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, and for fourteen years held that honorable and responsible position, the last four as Chief Justice. In the formative period of our jurisprudence, Judge Sewall was peculiarly qualified to lend a guiding hand. His life and studies covered the final period of the provincial system as well as the beginning of the new, and much was done by him to adapt the law to the changed conditions of the country.

In private life and manners he was faultless; diffident and reserved in social life, with a deep sense of his responsibility in every station of life. His interest in and devotion to this Lodge was manifested in his frequent appointment on committees, in his service as an officer of the Lodge, and in the ready gift of his eloquence in the celebration of the Feasts of St. John. Whether serving as one of the committee to remove the Lodge to new quarters or as Senior Warden and orator, he was equally to be relied upon. His integrity, learning, sweet and companionable nature endeared him to all classes of his fellow-citizens.

At the election of officers in 1781, Richard Harris was reelected Master, but declined. Col. Win. R. Lee was then elected and declined. He was held by his Brethren in great respect. He twice declined to serve as Master of the Lodge, although he was often on important committees and held minor offices. Colonel Lee had distinguished himself in the war — he entered the service as captain, rose rapidly to the rank of colonel, and was held in such esteem by Washington that he offered him the position of adjutant-general.

On the declination of Colonel Lee, Capt. Saml. Russell Trevett was elected Master. Trevett was a Marbleheader of the old stock. There flowed in his veins a spirit trained through generations of ancestors to wrestle with severe fortune and stern discipline. He was by inheritance a resolute man. When, therefore, in compliance with the resolution of the Continental Congress to restrict commercial intercourse with the mother country, the town voted to appoint a committee to suppress the importation of British goods into the town, and fearless men were needed to enforce the vote, he was immediately recognized as one thoroughly qualified to serve on the committee.

He was one of that intrepid band of young men who in 1775 boarded a prize lying under the protection of the British frigate Lively, and carried away the arms which were on board. These arms were afterwards used in equipping the Marblehead regiment. He commanded a company at the battle of Bunker Hill, and distinguished himself by capturing two cannon, the only ordnance taken in that battle by the Americans. He was one of the incorporators of the Marblehead Academy and the second Collector of Customs of this district.

This bluff hero accepted the position of Master and held the office for a year. Not much was done in the way of work during his term, but the finances of the Lodge were closely scrutinized, and the By-Laws were revised, a piece of work which was always at hand when other business failed, and in which the Brethren took especial interest, if we may judge by the number of times it was done during these forty years. The usual charity was dispensed, funerals attended, and festivals celebrated ; and although there was no work whatever, it is noticeable that almost all the meetings were fully attended.

In 1782 Colonel Lee was elected Master, and again declined the honor. Elisha Story was elected and held the office until 1803.

This sturdy Revolutionary patriot was born in Boston Dec. 3, 1743, educated as a physician, and in 1770 removed to Marblehead to pursue the practice of his profession. He was distinguished for his intense loyalty to the patriot cause, was one of the Sons of Liberty, and in 1773 of the party who with fearless audacity boarded the ships in Boston harbor and poured the contents of three hundred and forty-two chests of tea into the water. He was surgeon in Colonel Little's regiment, and in this capacity engaged at the fight in Concord and Lexington, fighting on foot like the common soldier, until his services as surgeon were required by the wounded soldiers. At the battle of Bunker Hill he fought beside his friend Warren until that hero fell. He was a member of the Committee of Safety and of the Tuesday Evening Club in this town, in close touch with Paul Revere and other prominent Masons, members of the Sons of Liberty. This ardent patriot now became Master of the Lodge.

During the course of the following year a controversy arose with Brother Burdick — at whose house the Lodge was now holding its meetings — over the amount of rent which should be paid for the room. The difference of opinion was evidently hard to settle, and the controversy had become exciting as well as annoying, when a committee of five was appointed "to determine the rent of the present Lodge-room with Brother Burdick," and the following characteristic vote was passed: "Voted, If either of said committee neglect to attend for the above business when called on by the chairman shall pay three dollars as a fund for the Lodge, and if the above committee do not report next Lodge night, that each one of the committee shall pay six shillings as a fund for the Lodge." This vote had the effect of procuring a report of the committee as ordered, but the controversy was not settled. It was soon after voted to remove the jewels, furniture, etc., from Brother Burdick's to Bro. John Gerry's, there to remain until the Lodge shall meet again. The Lodge did not meet from February, 1784, until Dec. 27, 1784, when the members assembled to celebrate the festival of St. John the Evangelist, and at the close of the festivities they voted that the members present form a Lodge.

The affairs of the town were now in a precarious condition. The war had destroyed the foreign trade of the merchants of the town, and many of its inhabitants were suffering for lack of work. Vessels lay idle at the docks, and the coopers' shops, sail lofts and riggers' shops were, for the most part, practically closed. In consequence, very little work was done by the Lodge, and few members admitted. Regular meetings were held, however, until April, 1786; at this point the records stop, and do not open again until Feb. 1, 1797. "Whether the Lodge met during these years there is no evidence. They met at that date to attend the funeral of Gen. John Glover, whose name, you will remember, appears on the list of original members who constituted this Lodge.

Elisha Story is still Master, and holds the office until 1803. The work is good now, and the custom of doing the business of the Lodge on the first degree is discontinued.

The duty of the Lodge towards its deceased members was performed with the utmost delicacy and consideration. They did not attend the funeral of their Brothers as of right. Although the relations of Masons are peculiarly close, they recognized that the family relation was closer, and respected it. They never attended a funeral without first finding out whether it would be agreeable to the family of the deceased, and then everything was conducted with Masonic regularity and solemnity.

On one occasion it was "Voted, William R. Lee, Esq., Bro. Elisha Story and Bro. Joshua Orne, Jr., Esq., be a committee to wait on Mr. Jenkins (brother-in-law of a deceased member), and to inform him that a report made by Bro. Burdick last evening, with respect to the Lodge having a design to bury Bro. A. B., was premature and without proper foundation, and to consult with the widow of the deceased whether it was agreeable to her that the Lodge should attend the funeral of said deceased in procession." Said committee report: "They have waited on Mr. Jenkins and removed the impression made on his mind by said report, and that Mary, the widow of said deceased, refuses the interposition of any of her deceased husband's relatives, and earnestly desires he may be buried by and at the expense of his Brethren of this Lodge." It was immediately "Voted, That the Brother be buried by and at the expense of the Lodge," and a committee of three Brethren was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The relations between Mary and her deceased husband's family were evidently strained, and she did not propose to be under any obligations to them. During these first years of the Lodge the Brethren never neglected this last tribute of respect to the memory of a deceased Brother; they attend the funeral in goodly numbers, and never forget the collection at their return to the Lodge for the beuefit of the widow and children of the deceased.

The charity of the Lodge was not always confined to its members. It was dispensed with a liberal hand to any Mason in distress or want. At a meeting held Oct. 14, 1778, a committee was appointed to wait upon the agents of the privateer Raven, then in the harbor, to parole Brother Laborn and Brother Hunter, and we find at the next meeting among those present both these Brothers recorded as visiting Brethren, and on the same night the Lodge made a present to Brother Hunter of £48 os., he being in distress. At the next meeting another visiting Brother, being in want, received£11 lis. At the celebration of St. John's day, June 24, 1779, the Brethren made a present to Bro. John Merret for the loss he has sustained, of 8378. Again the Brethren made "a getherin" for Bro. Alexander Ross, and made him a present of $336½, and $497 for Bro. Walter Perkins.

At the celebration of St. John the Baptist's day in 1780, Rev. Edw. Bass was invited to preach a sermon to the Brethren, and at the close of the celebration it was " voted that a collection be now made for the benefit of Brother Bass, and as a testimony of our affection for him," and the sum of Si,200 was accordingly collected.

On another occasion, after attending the funeral of a deceased Brother, the Lodge took up a collection of $1,320 for Bro. Thos. Bartlett, who was laboring under a prolonged and tedious fit of sickness, thereby brought to indigent circumstances. Not long after the Brethren assembled in special session to attend the funeral of Brother Bartlett. At three o'clock P.M. (so says the record) the Brethren walked in procession to the house of Mr. Wm. Boden, adjacent to the dwelling-house of the deceased, and after singing a penitential hymn (suitable to the occasion) they attended the funeral. At their return to the house of Brother Boden another hymn was sung; and also at their return to the Lodge, where a collection was made of 76 paper dollars of the new emission, 2 dollars, 3 pestereens, and 2 shillings in specie for the benefit of the widow of the said Bartlett. The whole was conducted with the utmost decency and decorum. The assistance of the Lodge was not always sought for objects of a purely charitable nature. In one case a petition from Wm. Doyle was presented for the assistance of the Lodge to enable him to settle in this town as a barber, and after consideration was "deferred" to a future meeting. The Brethren, I fancy, were not anxious for the Lodge to engage in commercial pursuits. After considering his case at two subsequent meetings, they appointed him inner tyler, and for his services to be exempt from the expenses of the Lodge. The charity of the Lodge was not dispensed indiscriminately. The Brethren took care to bestow their help on worthy persons and for worthy objects.

The Brethren rarely missed an opportunity of celebrating the Feast of the Saints John in June and December. Obedient to the injunction of their charter that they should "dine together on the festival of St. John the Baptist," as often as the day came round they assembled in goodly numbers to participate in the feast of good things and to mingle in Masonic fellowship. Preparations for the celebration were thorough and ample. Committees were appointed to secure an orator, to provide music both vocal and instrumental, to draw up a bill of fare, to obtain a place in which to dine, which was usually some Brother's house, and to put Masonic regalia in order. Provision was made for the ringing of the first and second bells, and the festival was advertised in some Boston or Salem newspaper. On the day appointed for the celebration the Brethren assembled at the Lodge-room, at the ringing of the church bell, and, after opening the Lodge, walked in procession to the meeting-house where the exercises were to be held. The oration finished, they sang the 133d and 134th Psalms, walked in procession to the Brother's house where the dinner was spread, and returned to the Lodge in the evening.

The records attest the ample provision made for these feasts on more than one occasion. After one of the festivals it is recorded that there were sold to John Gerry 3 dozens of bottles for £6; to Bro. Richard Harris 3 dozens for £2 11 s.; to Bro. Samuel R. Trevett 6 dozens for £4 4s.; and they were paid for on the spot. On another occasion it was voted "that the members present pay Bro. Burdick 3s. a head for dinner, 6d. for each bottle of wine more than the first cost, 2d. for a bowl of punch, and 1d. for a bowl of grogg." I trust no one will accuse our Brothers of an overindulgence in the seductive juices of the grape. While we cannot say that they did not carry their love for imbibing to excess, the sale of so many bottles after the Feast . certainly indicates that they did not go as far as they might. We will not say that a due restraint upon their appetites was not exercised, while the means of satisfying them yet remained so ample. And I am firmly of the persuasion that you will suspend your judgment and acknowledge their moderation, when you learn that the records of the celebration closed with these words: "This festival was celebrated with that concord, brotherly love and harmony that ought always to subsist amongst Brothers and Fellows."

There were other occasions, however, when the Brethren felt like celebrating in a more simple and private way. In 1780 it was "voted that as many of the Brethren as can conveniently attend, celebrate the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, the 27th, at the Lodge and that they have a cold collation in the evening of said day." This apparently was not altogether pleasing to some of the Brethren, for at the next meeting the vote to celebrate St. John's day on a cold collation was recalled, and it was voted that the Brethren dine at the Lodge on said day, and a committee was chosen to provide for the same. At this celebration Bro. Elisha Story gave a short charge to the Brethren present, for which he received the unanimous thanks of the Lodge. After dinner the stewards for the day made up their accounts, which amounted to eighty-five dollars for each Brother present, which was immediately discharged.

Again, it was voted to celebrate the Festival of St. John the Baptist in as private and economical a manner as possible. A subscription paper was passed around, a sufficient number of the Brethren pledged themselves to participate, and after meeting for work the Lodge was closed and the Brethren above mentioned proceeded to the house of Mr. Osgood, in Salem, where they spent the remainder of the day in " social hilarity and mutual enjoyment."

At the time Doctor Lowell received the commission to hold a Lodge in Marblehead there were but two other Lodges in this jurisdiction — St. John's, chartered by Henry Price in 1733, and St. Andrew's, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1756. In 1792 the two existing Grand Lodges united and formed the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, both Lodges retaining their charters as subordinate Lodges. This Lodge had always been known as the Lodge at Marblehead, or the Marblehead Lodge. Aside from an acknowledgment that it held its commission from and acted under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Grand Master for North America there was no close connection between the Lodge at Marblehead and the Grand Lodge. It was therefore voted, on the 26th May, 1797, "that there be a person to wait on the Grand Lodge to represent the situation of this Lodge, and the Right Worthy Brother Story was chosen the committee." Brother Story acted at once, as is shown by the following endorsement on the old charter:

In Grand Lodge, June 12, 1797.

The Brethren of the Lodge in Marblehead having sent the charter with a request that their Lodge may be received under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, and that they would give it a name. Voted the name of the Lodge meeting in Marblehead from henceforth be called the Philanthropic Lodge, and that they hold their precedency in Grand Lodge, agreeable to the date of their charter.

Paul Revere, G. M.
A true copy of record.
Daniel Oliver, Grand Secretary.

Being now fully under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, they received notice that the Grand Lodge intended to make them a visitation. The Lodge made suitable provision for the reception. A committee was appointed to provide a hot supper, and the Brethren «of the Masonic Fraternity in town not members were invited to join with the Lodge in paying their respect and duty to the Grand Lodge.

Among the officers of the Grand Lodge who were present on this occasion was Paul Revere, who, on account of his former intimacy with several members of the Lodge as a leading member of the Sons of Liberty, especially Elisha Story, must have been particularly welcome to the Brethren. • The Lodge was closed in Ample Form at nine o'clock, and soon after the meeting broke up with hearty congratulations on the success of the first visitation of the Grand Officers. The members of the Grand Lodge present on this occasion were:

  • M. Wpl. Josiah Bartlett, G. M.
  • Rt. Wpl. Saml. Dunn, D. G. M.
  • Rt. Wpl. Joseph Laughton, S. G. W.
  • Rt. Wpl. John Brazer, J.G.W.
  • Bro. John Boyle, G. Treas.
  • Bro. Oliver Holden, G. Sec'y.
  • Bro. Allen Crocker, S. G. D.
  • Bro. Samuel Swan, J. G. D.
  • Bro. John Ramond, S. G. S.
  • Bro. Paul Revere, J. G. S.
  • (Bro. John Wait officiated as Grand Steward.)

At the next meeting the Lodge appointed the Master and Wardens a committee to represent the Lodge at the next Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge.

One other event deserves mention and will bring to a fitting close the first forty years of Masonry in Marblehead.

On the first day of January, 1800, the Lodge held a meeting
for the purpose of adopting some method " to express our grief
 for the death of our illustrious and worthy Brother, General
 George Washington," and it was "voted that the Brethren
wear black crape edged with blue ribbon on the left arm for
thirty days, as a badge of mourning on this solemn and melan
choly occasion."

On the next day they joined a general procession and walked to the new meeting-house, where an elegant and well-adapted eulogy on the life and virtues of our illustrious and beloved Brother, Gen. George Washington, was pronounced by Mr. Joseph Story, the son of the Master of the Lodge. During these forty years Washington had been the central figure in civil and military life. The people of this town regarded him with deep affection and reverence, and the Brethren of this Lodge to-day have reason to revere his character and cherish his memory.

It was a member of this Lodge who, with the Marblehead regiment, met him at Cambridge, and stood close beside him through many a trying time, fraught with difficulty and danger. It was a member of this Lodge who first suggested to him the possibilities of fighting the enemy on the sea; and this suggestion, carried out by many an heroic citizen of this town and member of this Lodge, was the precursor, and indeed the beginning, of the American navy.

It was a member of this Lodge who. with his regiment of Marblehead fishermen, superintended the transportation of troops across the Delaware river on that dark and stormy night in December, 1776, and thus made possible the success at Trenton the next day. It was the same gallant member of this Lodge who, at the evacuation of New York city, and during the subsequent attacks of the enemy, rendered such efficient and courageous service, where many another proved recreant, that he gained the encomiums of the Commander-in-Chief, and from this time until their deaths there existed between them a warm and sincere friendship.

It was a member of this Lodge who, at Bunker Hill, captured from the British the only cannon taken on that memorable day. It was a member of this Lodge who took command at the camp in Cambridge, when disorder was running riot, yet behaved with such humane and thoughtful consideration towards Burgoyne and the other prisoners of war confined there that he won the unqualified praise of his distinguished prisoner. It was he, too, to whom Washington offered the position of adjutant-general of the American army.

Such heroes are only bred in heroic times. When you look back upon events established by generations gone before, it is easy to persuade yourself that, like your ancestors, you would have thrown the weight of your influence in favor of those events, that you would have taken the same measures which they took and avoided the pitfalls which they avoided. The problem is quite a different one when you stand face to face with impending difficulties and are forced to change the established order of things. Revolutions are not always settled upon the best and surest foundations. In all crises it requires men of steady nerve, ripe judgment, strong convictions, men trained under the stress of circumstances, which bring out and develop all the powers and faculties of the mind, to find the light path, and to avoid being led into doubtful and dangerous courses.

Such were the men developed during these forty years, and this old Lodge never bad a more distinguished membership than then. Brethren, this is your heritage. Surely it is well for us to remember these things to-day.


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1803: District 2 (Newburyport and North Shore)

1835: District 2

1849: District 2

1867: District 5 (Salem)

1883: District 8 (Salem)

1911: District 8 (Lynn)

1927: District 8 (Lynn)

2003: District 9


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