MAGLHFowle
HENRY FOWLE 1766 - 1837
Junior Grand Warden, 1808
Senior Grand Warden, 1809
BIOGRAPHY
1859 NOTE
From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 12, October, 1859; Page 365.
Henry Fowle was a native of Medford, Mass., born in September, 1766; went to Boston at the age of fourteen, and served an apprenticeship as a pump and block maker, which occupation he followed in after life. He was better educated than most mechanics of his time. He had a good knowledge of the French language, and spoke it with the same fluency as his mother tongue; hence his society was sought by Frenchmen and other foreigners resorting to our shores. They were often invited to his house, and treated with kindness and cordiality.
The embargo and subsequent war with Great Britain proved disastrous to his business, and well nigh ruined it. He died in Boston, in April 1837, aged seventy-one years.
Mr. Fowle was twice married. His first wife was the mother of fourteen children; his second wife, of six. Eight of his children were living in 1854, being people of character and respectability.
. . . He was one of the original members of Mount Lebanon Lodge, and its first Master. This office he held in 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1805. He also sustained various important offices in some of the other Masonic bodies, being a member of St. Andrew's Lodge a number of years, and Master, and an officer in the Grand Lodge several years.
In all these relations Brother Fowle exerted an influence beyond that of almost any of his contemporaries. As he was perfect in the ritual of every grade of the Order, he was considered high authority by his younger and less informed Brethren. Being so intimately connected with the Masonic fraternity, his biography, if written out, would necessarily contain a pretty good history of the Order during the most active portion of his life.
1833 AUTOBIOGRAPHY
From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIV, No. 7, May, 1865, Page 205; Vol. XXIV, No. 8, June, 1865, Page 205.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE LATE BROTHER HENRY FOWLE, WRITTEN IN 1833.
The writer and subject of this Memoir was one of the most active and distinguished Masons of his time, and in connection with the late Brothers Thomas S. Webb and Benj. Gleason, may be regarded ns the author and founder of the present Masonic system and organization of this country. It was our good fortune to be intimately associated with him and Brother Gleason in our early Masonic labors, and so have received the benefit of their experience and instruction. With Brother Webb we had no personal acquaintance. He passed away before our Masonic life began. With his Masonic labors and history we are of course well acquainted, and entertain the highest respect for his memory. The Autobiography here given was written at our request, and near the close ol the life of the author, who died in 1837, in the 73d year of his age.
INTRODUCTION.
Boston, April 21, 1833.
To Brother Charles W. Moore — In a late conversation you requested me to give you a sketch of my Masonic career, as you were pleased to call it. You wished also that I might not be confined entirely to that subject. It is with much pleasure I comply with your request, and I feel flattered in rinding that a gentleman and Brother Knight, whose good opinion I so highly prize, can take such interest in my concerns as to wish to know more of them.
In perusing the following pages, you will please to recollect, that the writer is an unfortunate poor old man, (almost 67 years of age,) broken down by misfortunes and bodily infirmities. If therefore I should be guilty of that folly, so common to those in advanced age, garrulity and egotism, you must pardon the folly for the sake of the good intention. I must also bespeak your candor on account of bad writing, worse spelling, and the worst of grammar. You will not however be much surprised when I declare that the only lesson I ever took in the English Grammar was comprised in one afternoon's study. Our master had been involved in an intrigue, and the next morning was not to be found. If how. ever the perusal should afford yon half an hour's relaxation from the duties of your arduous and highly useful employments, I shall be gratified, and the end for which I write will be accomplished. To give you, however, a true and[faitliful history of my life, I must, like other heroes, who have written their own biography, give some account of my ancestors.
Part I.
PERSONAL.
About the commencement of the 17th Century, three men by the name of Fowle, brothers, arrived at Boston from Manchester, (England.) They however soon separated: one of them located at Boston, one at Watertown, and the third at Med ford. The latter was by trade a cooper; his christian name was Henry: he married a Medford girl, by whom he had seven children; my father was the second child, and in due time was sent to Boston, and bound apprentice to a Mr. Symmes, an eminent merchant tailor. After his term of service had ex* pired, my father returned to Medford; and his father, having been called away by death, he built a shop adjoining the house; commenced business for himself, and assisted in the support of his family; his mother also kept a school for the instruction of little children. My father became enamored of a young woman named Mary Patten, only child of Thomas Patten, a brickmaker, a very respectable, pious man. Mary had been brought up in the family of her uncle, Thomas Seccomb, a trader, of considerable property. My father paid his addresses to her, was accepted, and they were married. My father was then 25 years of age, and she only sixteen. ' They were serious, well disposed, if not pious persons. My mother was a member of the church under the pastoral care of Mr. Turel, an eminent orthodox divine, and from some writings I have seen of my mother's, I think she must have been a pious good woman; My parents were very happy and seemed to live only to promote the felicity of each other; at least so said those most intimately acquainted with them. If anything could have increased their happiness it was the birth of a son, the writer of these lines, who, at the close of the first year after their marriage, viz., on the 19th of September, 1766, made his appearance on the stage of human existence. But for some time I was a weak, puny thing, and when two years old I appeared to die, was laid out, and a coffin prepared; when an old lady, who had been very fond of me, saying she would see the poor little thing once more, came into the room where I lay, and thinking my clothes were not well adjusted, attempted to put them in order, when perceiving a little warmth at my back, she called for a blanket, and placing me in it brought me again to life!!
As soon as I was capable of noticing things, I was frequently carried to my uncle Seccomb's family, who having no children of their own, were very fond of me. My aunt had been many years a cripple, rendered so by rheumatism; their fondness for me increased daily, my uncle declaring that as soon as I could read I should study Latin and go to college. At five years old, I could read pretty well in the Bible, my uncle having taken great pains to instruct me. I commenced the study of the Latin language at eight years old, and made considerable progress in the Accidence and Grammar. I studied Æsop's fables, Erasmus, and had made considerable progress in Virgil, when my uncle and aunt both died, at a good old age, highly respected and deeply regretted. About this time the Revolutionary War commenced, and an end was put, at least for a time, to schooling. Among the most intimate of my young friends, and playmates, was a boy named John vVade. He was born on the same day, and I believe at the same hour, on which I first saw the light. His mother used to say, that if I was sick, John was sure to be indisposed: if I cut my finger, John was certain to be wounded: if I had a new coat or pair of shoes, there was no peace in the house until John was in like manner accommodated. One day we were strolling together in the fields, when John spied a bird's nest on the limb of a tree which hung over a clay pit; the late rains had filled the pit with water to the depth of seven or eight feet. John was determined to have the nest. I tried in vain to dissuade him from the attempt; he ascended the tree, stretched himself out upon the limb, and just as his fingers touched the nest, the bough broke and he fell plump into the middle of the pit; he could not swim a stroke; I seized a piece of broken rail which fortunately lay near, and poking it in his face, he laid hold of it and I drew him to the shore. We wrung out his clothes and dried them in the sun, and his father, who was a very passionate man, did not discover the accident.
Some few months after this, John's father came, and accused me to my father, of having pushed his son into the river, where he was all but drowned. I denied the charge, and John was sent for, who for fear of a whipping, had not the courage to tell the truth, but declared that I had pushed him off the wharf. My father then made me take off my coat, and with a piece of line gave me a severe whipping. The wharf, of which I speak, was at the back of Mr. Wade's house and shop. On the .wharf was a slip or notch about eight feet wide, with steps to go down on to a platform which the tide every day covered, and on which they washed the sheepskins, for Mr. or Major Wade, as he was called, was by trade a leather-dresser. This whipping was on Thursday, and on Saturday following, my father, as was his invariable custom, went to the barber's shop to get trimmed for Sunday. He there met a Mr. Tufts, a famous mower of grass, who thus accosted my father:
—"So, Mr. Fowle, your son Henry made a bold push the day before yesterday."
"A bold push, indeed," said my father, "and he got well paid for it."
"That's right," said Tufts, " for he saved the young man's life."
"What," said my father, " by pushing him into the river!
"Who says Henry pushed John into the river?" cried Tufts.
"I do," said my father.
"'tis a d__d lie,' cried Tufts.
"What do you mean?" said my father, (much agitated.)
"I mean," said Tufts, "that I saw those two boys on the wharf. Tbey were trying which could skip a stone fartherest on the water, the ground was slippery; in John's exertion he slipped and plunged head foremost into the river; Henry watched him under the water, ran down the slip, and as John rose, he seized him by the collar and dragged him towards the steps; one second later the tide would have swept him beyond all hopes."
"And where weie you, pray," said my father, " that you could see all this?"
"On the bank of the river, directly opposite the boys," answered Tufts, " mowing sedge grass," (the river at this place is about one hundred yards wide.)
"Good bye," said my father, snatching up bis hat and rushing out of the shop.
He was soon at his own door. I was at the window, and saw him enter, much agitated, and very pale.
"What is the matter, father,"cried I, "are you unwell!" He did not answer, but taking a seat, beckoned me to come to him: he took my hand and burst into tears. I was much frightened, and asked if I should call some one to his assistance.
When he could speak, he said, "my poor boy, I am well now, but tell me Henry, and tell me truly, did you push John Wade into the river the other day?"
"Indeed I did not, sir," I said, and told him the story as Mr. Tufts had stated it.
"And why," he asked, " did you not tell me all this at the lime?"
"Because, sir, you were determined to believe Major Wade and his son before me. I could say no more, and had no witness that I knew of."
My father then took Tufts and me with him to Mr. Wade, where the same facts were told, and at last John confessed the whole story to be true, got a severe flogging, and was locked up in a garret four days, with only bread and water for his food. The next week my father went to Boston, and on his return presented me with a handsome volume of the Seven Champions of Christendom, with plates!
When I was about 11 years old, my dear mother died, having presented her husband with four more children, all girls; two of them are yet alive. My father was inconsolable for the loss of his beloved partner. I slept in the same bed with him, and was often a weeping witness of his distress when he supposed me to be sound asleep; indeed for some lime, his grief was so great as to incapacitate him for the common duties of life; but at length the lenient hand of time assuaged his sorrows and he again attended to business. But not with that spirit of alacrity which had for. merly distinguished him; and to add to his .misfortunes, his house (which had also been his father's) was unfortunately situated among the H— families, and one of the pleasantest situations in the town. One of the H—a wished to buy it, and because my father would not sell, he withdrew his custom from the shop, and had influence enough with many others to persuade them to do the same. My father soon felt the consequences of their malice; his business declined, he became melancholy, and poverty stared him in the face, and he was obliged to sell his house. In the mean time, having nothing to do, and owing to the war, all was confusion, my father persuaded me to learn his trade. I tried it more than two years, and made considerable proficiency.
When about 14, my father had a field of corn on the bank of the Mystic river. One day he told me to take his gun and go to the field, and if all were safe, we would go on the marshes and try to find some birds. My father had loaded the gun two or three days previously, intending to shoot some pigeons, which had alighted near the house. But they did not give him an opportunity to fire, the gun remained deeply charged. I asked my father if I might fire at the birds, should I find any on the beach. He replied, " no indeed, by no means;" but I importuned him so much that at length he said, " well, give me the gun and I will fix it for you." He did so, by taking out all the priming. 1 knew nothing of that at the time, but trudged with my gun shouldered, which by the by was a large French piece, and very heavy. Arrived at length at the beach, near the corn field, 1 espied two lillle birds, called peeps; not being able to hold the gun at arm's length, I rested it over a pile of bricks, and although she was never before known to miss fire, I could not get her off; when, upon examination, I found there was no priming. I went to the mill, which was near,—to the owner of which I was well known,—and begged of hirp a little powder for priming, and I started again for the birds, but they had flown. After ascertaining that the field was safe, I strolled down upon the marshes; at length there came a large flock of fine birds called yellow.legs; between me and them was a ditch about two feet wide and three feel deep, half full of salt, muddy, slinking water; the turf cut from the ditch was piled in a row on the opposite side to that whereon 1 lay; with great caution I passed the ditch, crept op to the bank of turf, on which resting my gun, I fired : the first thing after, of which I was sensible, was to find myself half buried in the muddy water at the bottom of the ditch my gun by my side. I scrambled out as fast as possible, and seeing several wounded birds fluttering about, I gave chase,.and picked up, killed and wounded, seventeen birds! Bonaparte having put hora du combat 20,000 of his enemies, felt not more elated than I! It was the first time that I had fired a gun with shot, and my victims were excellent food, which was not the case with his.
While contemplating my good fortune, my father arrived, and seeing me in a woful pickle, exclaimed, "where have you been, you blockhead?"
"Into that ditch, sir," said I.
"And pray how came you there? demanded he.
"Your gun kicked me there," said I, "and followed me herself."
"The gun, the gun," repeated my lather, "you have not fired, I hope?"
"Indeed I have," snid I, "and killed all those birds," pulling them from under some bushes which hid them from the sun.
My father was astonished, and observed, that the gun being so deeply charged it was two chances to one it had not killed me, or broke my bones, ami he had taken out the priming that I might not fire; I told h m I had found that out, and got a supply from the mill.
About this time my father married his second wife, by whom he had six children, all of whom are no living, but scattered about the country. In 1810, my father died, aged 70 years, and a few months after, his widow died also.
The sedentary employment of tailor did not agree with my health, and I was obliged to leave the shop board for more active life; so, for the iron-goose, I substituted the iron pump-borer. In February, 1783, I entered apprentice to Mr. Richard Skillin, of Boston, Block and Pump Maker. He was a good master,— kind to his boys, just in his dealings, beloved and respected by all who knew him. He had a daughter, lovely as spring, and good as lovely: to me at least she was a ministering angel: in sickness ahe was my friend and nurse, and always an agreeable companion. But she had a lover at sea; he returned, and they were married; and are now living, their second child, was a daughter, and twenty years after, became my wife!
When I arrived at the age of 21, our business, like all others at that time, was very dull, aud I staid with Mr. Skillin nearly one year as a journeyman. In June, 1788, by the help of a small legacy left me by an old lady, I was enabled to purchase a set of tools, stock, &c., and set up for myself. I hired my shop at $20 per annum. It was situated on what was then called Scarlett's Wharf, afterwards Horry's, and at present Snow's Wharf; at that time I could have bought the whole estate from Ann street to low water mark, for $800! A few years after it was sold for $4,000, and is now worth $20,000.
March 1st. 1789, I went into the hospital at Medford, and was inoculated for the small pox. The establishment belonged to Doctor John Brooks, afterwards Governor of Massachusetts. We were thirty in the class, all of whom recovered. I was in the hospital twenty-one days and had twenty-one pustules, and was sick but two days. On returning to my shop, I fouud business very dull. I had employed B. Varney, 10 take care of my concerns during my absence, and he did mil take half money enough to pay himself for his time. No business to be had here, I fell in debt for board $60; wrote to New York, iec.eived flattering offers, and made prepaiations to go; but on the afternoon of the day befoie that on which the packet was to sail, Mr. Matthew Bridge, of Charlestown engaged of me a suit of blocks &c., for a ship of 250 tons; the price was $200, the half of which, of his own accord, he paid me down, and before the close of the next day I had two more ships engaged, and from that time during twenty years I was not without business.
I had for several years been acquainted with Elizabeth Bently, and believing I was not indifferent to her,—she having been twice to see me at the hospital,— proposed myself to her for a husband, was accepted, and on the 1st of November, 1789, we were married. If ever a woman's whole soul was devoted to her husband, hers was to me; she was in every sense of the term a most excellent wife.
This amiable woman brought me thirteen children, the last of which proved fatal to herself, in this manner:—Our rooms in Clark street were very high, tind in the front chamber was a window which gave light to the main stair way; over this window usually hung a white dimity curtain, which had been taken down to be washed, and as a friend was to sleep in the chamber that night, my wife attempted to fix the curtain on to the rods, for which purpose she placed a table under the window and a chair on the table, but not being properly secured, the chair slipped off and she fell to the floor: four weeks afterwards she was canfined with a dead child, mortification ensued, and in eight days my wife was no more! Eight of her children still survive, (1833.) God Almighty bless them and make them more happy than their father.
I cannnot confine myself to a regular rotation of dates, nor do I now that it is necessary to my being understood. We must now go bacft a few years. In December, 1794, I bought a house of Simeon Skillin, in Salutation lane, for which I paid $1,000 down, and took possession by agreement in June following. My family now rapidly increasing, the house was too small to accommodate us, and with the advice of my friends, I sold it, and bought the mansion house of Mr. S. Mather, in Clark street; this was in 1805. The estate cost me nearly, $6,000, and was the worst speculation I ever made. For from the moment the deeds were executed, real estates began to declince ; embargoes, non.intercourse, and war following each other, reduced me almost to bessary. The gentlemen who usually employed me would not be concerned in privateering; and the officers of government, and other Democrats, would not employ me because I was a Federalist. To show you, however, the estimation I was held in by my former employers, I will relate one instance of their attention. Col. J. May sent for me one day during the war, and thus addressed me:—"Mr. Fowle, your friends are well aware that you have but little business in the present state of affairs; that the government folks will not employ you for political reasons; and also that yon have a large family to support; and they have directed me to inquire how they may be useful to you and not hurt your feelings." I told him I wanted only employment, but as that was out of the question I must endeavor to be content. He desired me to go to a Mr. Wyman, who supplied him with beef, and direct him to put up a barrel of the best saltpetered beef, and bring him the bill and he would give me money to pay it. I did so, the bill was $22.50; he gave me the money ; " but," said he, " tny friend, yon cannot live on beel alone, take this also as a proof of the good will of your friends," and he put into my hand a $50 bill!
The times, however with me, grew worse, and I lost all that I had gained by 30 years hard labor. On the 10th of August, 1810, I was taken down by the typhus fever; the effects of which incapacitated me for business during one whole year. Indeed I have reason to believe that the effects of the shock, my constitution received from that severe attack, were never completely removed, and at once, to complete my misfortunes, on the 18th of January, 1811, my beloved wife died, after having given birth to a dead child, as before related.
Thus was I left with eight children,—two of them little girls,—and feeling the necessity of having a mistress to my family,—especially on account of the girls,— in the course of the year I married Mary Adams, with whom, and her relations, (who were very respectable,) I had long been acquainted. Her father was owner and master of a fine brig, and some years before, had died abroad. With Mary I only lived three years, for in giving birth to her first child she herself fell a sacrifice, at the age of thirty years; the child also died.
About six months after Mary and I were married, we were riding in the country, when, taking my hand, she said, " my dear friend, I have been driven about from post to pillar ever since the death of my beloved father, and now, if God will permit me to enjoy my present happiness for three years, I will not ask of Him another moment." A day or two before she died, she asked me if I remembered that conversation, " for," said she, " the three years are up in a day or two, and 1 must then leave you." I tried to persuade her to hope better things, but she said she was sure to die to-morrow or the next day; and on the second day, about noon, she resigned as good a soul as ever animated a human breast!
Thus, within three years, I lost two amiable wives, two children, an apprentice, eighteen years of age,—a fine young mm,—was myself sick one whole year, and found myself in debt, and business good for nothing.
January, 1815, I married Ruthy Skimmer, daughter of Capt. John, and Ruthy Skimmer, of Charlestown, and grand daughter of my late master, Richard Skillin: by her I have had six children,—three boys and three girls. God bless them and make them good and happy.
Thus, my friend, have I tried in the lottery of matrimony,—in which they say there are a thousand blanks to one prize,—how fortunate I have been to escape the blanks! But the observation was undoubtedly made by some sour, cynical, old bachelor, who had never been blest with woman's smiles; or by some worn out debauchee whose converse had been only with the profligate and abandoned.
Women, in our infancy, in manhood, and in old age, in our sports, enjoyments and relaxations, are our choicest companions: in the cares, troubles and disap pointments of this world, they are our best solace, and our most faithful friends; and in the last hoar of weak humanity,—even on the bed of death,—they are the ministering spirits to smooth our pillows, alleviate our sufferings, and finally close our eyes and wrap us in the winding sheet,—the last clothing of humanity.
"Were I the monarch of the earth,
And master of the swelling sea,
I would estimate their worth,
Dear woman, half the price of thee.
At the close of the war with Great Britain, and on the 23d of February, 1815, I admitted my eldest son Henry, co-partner with me in business, he having served his apprenticeship with me. Business revived. I had many good customers, and a good shop, which had a good name; good set of tools, and stock on hand to the amount of $1,000. For some years we prospered; Henry was enabled to build him a house, buy shares in navigation, bank stock, &c., whilst I was obliged to appropriate all the money I could acquire, to the payment of debts contracted in war, non-intercourse and embargo times, and support a large family at the same time; having before sold my house for the same purpose, for $4,000.
In 1827, I was seized with the rheumatism so as to render me incapable of much exertion. I, however, kept the books, made contracts, &c. Henry, now wishing to get the whole concern into his own hands, persuaded his brothers, William and Joshua, to sign an instrument with himself, by which it was agreed that Henry should pay me $100 down and $5 a week during my life; William to pay me $10 per month, and Joshua $100 per year for the same term of time. In consideration for the above, I was to relinquish to Henry all my right ad title to the shop, tools, stock, customers and outstanding debts. I asked Henry what other consideration or sacrifice would be required of me, he said none of any kind would be wished for, and I should have nothing to do but to enjoy myself with my friends, visit my children, and be happy with them.
After much consideration, many objections, and great reluctance, I agreed to their wishes, - my objections and reluctance arose from the consideratio of the consequences of the measure to my family; for should my life terminate in one week, the property I was about to transfer to Henry would be totally lost to them; or, should he die before me, I had no claim upon his estate or heirs. When I mentioned these objections to Henry, he said if either of these cases should occur, he would take care that my family should not be wronged.
During the second year of the engagement, business became dull; Henry sold off all the business of the late firm; bought a good farm in the country, and quitted the city, declaring he would no longer abide by his engagement. Thus I was throw upon the world, a thousand times worse than I entered it at twenty-one, severely afflicted with rheumatism, and other disorders incident to advanced years, - a criplle both in body and mind. What have I now to hope for!
It has been said, that I ought at this moment to be worth $20,000. I have done a great deal of business in my line, it is true, but I have always had a very expensive, though not an extravagant family. I have had much sickness in my family, have lost much by bankruptcies, by endorsing for a friend, and by being bail for others; add to these the time lost and money spent during embargoes, non-intercourse and war times, and the wonder will cease that I have done no better.
I removed to, and resided on Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, one year; while there, I had much time for contemplation; it was delightful on a calm, bright night to walk out alone and contemplate the glorious scene around one. There is, I know not why, something pleasing to the imagination in contemplating the queen of night, when she is wading, as they call it, among the vapors which she has not power to dissipate, and which on their part are unable entirely to quench her lustre; it is striking image of patient virtue calmly pursuing her path, through good report and evil report, having that excellence in herself which ought to command admiration, but bedimed in the eyes of the world by suffering, by misfortune, by calumny.
Circumstances now arose which rendered it inconvenient for me to remain longer on the Plain; accordingly, on the 10th of November, 1830, I removed to a small house in Suth street, Boston, where at present I remain.
My bodily infirmities gradually increase, and my whole system grows sensibly weaker; my mind, bent down under a sense of obligations to my friends and anxieties for the future, has lost all the energy, elasticity ad firmness it ever possessed. I am now, within a few weeks, sixty-seven years of age, and what have I in this world to hope for. The last twenty years of my life seem a dream: I know not what has become of them. Thus, years rush by us like the wind; we see not whence the eddy comes, nor whither it is tending; and we seem ourselves to witness their flight without a sense that we are changed; yet time is beguiling man of his strength, as the winds rob the woods of their foliage.
Beside my narrow escape from death when an infant, I was very near being shot in a smith's ship. A man had placed a gun-barrel in the fire in a horizontal position, thinking to loosen the breech pin or screw, at the end of the barrel. I had an instant before passed the muzzle, when it exploded and the ball passed through the side of the shop,within a few inches of my body. At another time, as I was hunting near Spot Pond (the place whence it is proposed to bring water to the city,) I had passed through a set of bars, and on replacing the rails, I felt something strike the one in my hand; on looking over, I found a musket ball half buried in the rail, directly against my breast. I heard the report of a gun, and going down to the pond, found a negro man with a fowling piece in my hand. I asked him if he had just fired; he said he had just fired at some wild geese on the pond, but they were too far off from him, although he had fired with ball. I asked him to show me the position in which he was placed when he fired, and I found it to range precisely with the bars through which I had passed; although they were more than fifty feet hire than the surface of the pond. I then tried the ball, which I had with a knife had dug out of the rail, - into the gun, and found it to fit exactly, and had no doubt of it being the same the black man had fired.
Twice have I been upset in pleasure boats; once, in a thick fog out of sight of land: in either of which case, I should inevitably had been drowned, had I not early learned to swim.
I shall say but little respecting politics or religion. Respecting the former, my sentiments are well known. I am, and always have been since I could distinguish good from evil, a republican of the Washington school, and detest the demagogue of any party, whatever may be his professions. In regard to religion, what shall I say? When gownsmen disagree, who shall decide? I agree with the poet: - "He can't be wrong, whose life is in the right." Do unto others as you wish them to do unto you, is the sum and substance of religion. I shall never puzzle my head in conversing the merits of Infallibility, Transubstantiation, Total Depravity, Eternal Torments, or any such dogmas, which from time immemorial have divided Christians, - consigned themselves to the stake, and driven many to self-destruction!
I will now state some of the offices I have had the honor to sustain. They are minor in point of rank, but the discharge of the duties attached to them demanded much time and attention. When I was twenty-three years of age, I received a commission from Governor Hancock, appointing me Lieutenant in a company, Ward No. 1; but I never performed duty in that capacity. Our Captain went to Charlestown, S. C., for his health, and remained there, but did not resign; of course the command of the company devolved upon me. In the meantime, orders came from head quarters to draft a certain number of men from each company, to relieve the garrison on Castle William (not Fort Independence), the soldiers there being about to undergo inoculation for the small pos. I drafted six men from my company, armed and equipped them for service and on their arrival paid them off; and some months after was remunerated by Government. At the end of four years, our Colonel resigned; and being tired with the military, I requested him to procure my discharge also; which he did. Having thus held a commission, I was exempted from military duty, which at that time was no small privilege. However, some years afterwards, I was induced to join the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. The third year I was elected second dergeant, and the year following, requested to accept a Lieutenant's commission, but, fearful of the expense, I declined, and the next year at my own request was discharged.
I was three years fireward, but finding it a laborious and thankless office, I quitted it.
I was four years clerk of Ward No. 1, and three years do. of No. 2; a member also of the Humane Society. I was admitted a member of the Massachusetts Mechanic Association in 1795; was frequently invited to their dinner and supper parties, but in 1799, being determined to quit all extra societies, - the support of which cost money, - I withdrew my membership, after four years attendance. I quitted a fire club, of which I was also a member. I will speak of my Masonic career presently, and by itself.
Part II.
MASONIC.
I had been frequently solicited to join a Society, or "Lodge of Odd Fellows"; several of my friends were attached to it, who assured me if I would join them I should be subjected to no expense. Being desirous to know whether it was, as I had been informed, an encroachment upon Masonry, I permitted my name to be proposed, was admitted, and the same evening put into office. Upon studying the principles upon which the Institution is founded, I discovered no great allusion to Masonry. They have indeed their secrets, their signs, grips, words, &c. But their greatest resemblance to Masonry, is their Charity; which, if duly exercised, may be of essential benefit to indigent and unfortunate members. But the persons composing the Society at that time were not such men as I had been on habits of intimacy with. I soon quitted them, on the most friendly terms, however. They having always treated me with the utmost kindess and respect. I am happy to be informed that there has since been a radical reform in their habits and measures, and that the real object of the Society, - Charity, - is the only grand ruling and governing principle.
In tracing my Masonic course, my memory will not permit me to related the facts in the rotation in which they occurred. I shall therefore tell you (most probably) of matters which occurred years after other happened, and then go back and tell of the latter.
On the evening of the 10th of April, 1793, I was initiated into the Society of Freemasonry, in St. Andrew's Lodge, Boston, which was then held at the Green Dragon Tavern, so called, and which was the property of the Lodge. A gentleman named Dakin was their Master. This was the second Lodge in the United States, and received their Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Although second in point of date, they were first in respectability, in funds, in Masonic information, and the number of their initiates, among whom was General Joseph Warren who fell on Bunker Hill. When the Lodges became more numerous, frequent applications were made to St. Andrew's for Masonic information in the History, Work, and Lectures of the Institution; in fact she was the emporium of Masonic information.
In May, following my initiation, I passed to the degree of Fellow Craft; in September, raised to a Master Mason; in November, admitted a member; and soon after elected a Junior Warden; and two years after, Senior Warden. This year also I was admitted to the several degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellet Master, and Royal Arch Mason in St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter.
In 1797, for want of regularity and uniformity in work, lectures and government, the Institution had greatly declined. To effect a remedy, it was proposed that a convention of delegates from as many Chapters as might please t send, should be assembled at some central place to take the subject into consideration. The delegates from our Chapter were Benjamin Hurd, Wm. Woart and Henry Fowle.
In January, 1798, the convention met at Hartford, Connecticut, and adjourned from day to day, until their business was completed. They drafted a Constitution for the formation and government of a General Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the United States. This having been accepted by the delegates, they proceeded to elect the officers of the General Grand Chapter, when Ephraim Kirby, Esq., an eminent lawyer of Litchfield, Connecticut, was elected General Grand High Priest; Benjamin Hurd, Esq., of Charlestown, Massachusetts, General Grand King, and Thomas S. Webb, Esq., of Albany, New York, General Grand Scribe. On the fifth day of the session the convention was dissolved, the Grand Chapter opened in due form and the officers duly installed. The General Grand Chapter was then closed until 1807. As soon as practicable after this, the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts was formed and organized. Benjamin Hurd, Esq., was the first Grand High Priest, and the utility of the objects contemplated were fully realized.
My health for some time had been precarious, and at my own request, I was dismissed from St. Andrew's Lodge. In 1800, however, having in a great measure regained my health, I was persuaded t put my name at the head of a petition to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for a Charter to form a new Lodge by the name of Mount Lebanon Lodge. The petition was granted, and I became Master of that Lodge. I had long witnessed the improprieties and errors that had crept into the work, lectures and government of the Lodges, and could I find a few zealous and active Masons who would assist me without the fear of being denounced as innovators or disorganizers, I thought i could effect a reform which would be beneficial to the Craft. And I feel proud to say that the reform we effected in the work and lectures met the approbation of the Grand Lodge, and has been adopted almost universally, not only here, but in all the States. Grand Master Thomas was so delighted with the lectures that he offered me $1,200 ($100 per month) to spend one year in teaching them to the Lodges under his jurisdiction. I could not at that time leave my business, but recommended Bro. Benjamin Gleason as well qualified; who was employed and paid by the Grand Master.
About this time an affair happened in the Craft which had at first a serious aspect, but ended in a ludicrous manner. There was a Lodge in town (chartered by the Grand Lodge) composed of foreigners, - chiefly Germans, - who were about as well versed in the science as their Jewels; they were assembled for the election of officers; the members were divided between two candidates, and were about equal: the Master in the chair, who was one of the candidates, called for the votes for Master, when it appeared that Bro. A was elected; this gave great offence to Bro. B and his friends; however, after much wrangling, peace was apparently restored, when they were called to refreshment, during which Bro. B and his friends took possession of the hall; called to work; reconsidered the former vote, and elected Bro. B Master. When this was made known to the opponents, the door was forced open; when broken bottles, glasses and heads soon covered the floor.
With great difficulty, at last, order was in some measure restored, and the combatants were separated. The next morning, a friend of Bro. A called upon Bro. B with a note, in which A challenged B to mortal combat, which must take place on the following morning at sunrise, near a small grove at the west end of Cambridge bride; and if B had no pistols, A would bring one for him. B accepted the terms, and was on the ground in season. A soon after appeared with his second and a surgeon. While the seconds were making the necessary arrangements, A stepped up to B and demanded where his pistol was. B replied he had none; and A had promised by his second to bring one for him. A cried, "now then, I have you, Got tam, take dat," and snapped the pistol in his face; the weapon, however, missed fire, when B seized it, and with the butt immediately knocked A down, and threw the pistol into a ditch which was ear, ad turning to the surgeon, desired him to take care of the wounded man, and left the field! The knowledge of the affair was not long in reaching the Grand Lodge; and the [Grand Marshal was directed to demand their Charter. He did so: and it was deposited among the Archives of the Grand Lodge; and this was the end of the Harmonic Lodge. (Note: this charter was vacated in 1797 for other stated reasons.)
St. Andrew's Lodge were now desirous that I should return to them. Accordingly, having retired from Mount Lebanon Lodge, I was in September re-admitted a member of St. Andrew's free of expense. In November following, I was elected their Master; which office I held by re-election six years in succession, and on retiring from the chair, they voted me an Honorary Member during life. The Chapter and Encampment have done the same.
By virtue of the high offices I have at different times sustained, I am a constitutional member of the following Societies: - General Grand Encampment of the United States; General Grand Chapter of the United States; Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island; Grand Chapter and Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
In 1803, I was elected High Priest of St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, and re-elected annually until 1808. On retiring from the chair, the members presented me with a silver pitcher; value $55. I was Deputy Grand High Priest eight years, under different Grand High Priests; was elected Grand High Priest of the Chapter, but declined in favor of a friend. I was seven years Deputy to the Honorable De Witt Clinton, who was General Grand Master, and General Grad High Priest of the United States.
History of Templary - contains biographical information on Bro. Fowle.
