Facts Deduced From Massachusetts Masonic Mss.

FACTS DEDUCED FROM MASSACHUSETTS MASONIC MSS .

BY Brco . JACOB NORTON .

I STATED in a former paper that Henry Price catno from London in 1733 , uud established in Boston a Prov . G . L . and a Fellow Craft Lodgo ; and in 173 S ho formed a Master Mason ' s Lodge ( the last needs correction , tho M . M . ' s Lodgo was formed 2 nd January new style ) , and that tho usage established by Price in Boston must liavo been copied from tho then usago of England . Sineo my last paper was mailed , I re-examined tho Boston MSS ., and am now

enabled to give some facts that avo now to our best informed brethren , bnt , strange to say , I derived tho most curious information in this case , as in tho former , from Lodgo lists . Unfortunately , tho Boston Grand Lodgo kept no record whatever , and had not even a Grand Secretary before 24 th Juno 1751 . In that year Charles Pelham was appointed G . S ., but instead of beginning

Lis record with Juno 1751 , ho thought best to manufacture first a record from 1733 ; that part of tho record is therefore unreliable , but yet certain facts therein aro corroborated by original MSS . of that period , and somo statements wo may take for granted . Upon tho whole we learn , from a petition signed with eighteen names , that the signers wished to bo organised into a Masonic Lodge , and that

Bro . Price did so organise them , and out of tho eighteen signers ho appointed Andrew Bolcher as D . G . M ., and Kenclloy and Swann as Grand Wardens , ho also appointed Pope , Hamilton , and Gordon as W . M . aud Wardens of the Lodge . Robert Tomlinson was initiated in 1736 , Avas mado W . M . in 1730 , was appointed J . G . W ., and next Prov . G . M ., all in 173 G . Thomas

Oxnard was elected in December 173 G W . M ., and was re-elected in 1737 . These twenty-one aro all the names of tho Boston Masons on tho record up to 1739 . The Lodgo record , as well as that of tho Master Masons' Lodge , wero also tho handywork of Bro . Pelham . Up to 27 th December 1738 the Lodge had no record whatever . For ono year from tho

above date , tho minutes aro signed Eben Swan , Sec . ; but I havo no doubt that Bro . Swan wrote those minutes in 1754 . He was doubtless tho Secretary of 1739 , so he was mado to write tho minutes for that year in the new book then presented to tho Lodgo by a Senior Warden of 1738 . Peter Pelham , the father of Charles , was Secretary up to tho latter part of September 174-1 , when Charles Pelham

succeeded Lim . For this record , as well as for tho Masters' Lodgo record , Charles Pelham had some materials to work with , viz ., minutes kept either upon loose sheets , or in two penny memorandum books , and likewise his own personal recollections . Bro . Charles Pelham also compiled a list of all who belonged to tho Lodge from 1733 to 28 th August 1751 , with tho respective dates

of each , when he was initiated , or when ho joined tho Lodge . To all tho names of those who wero initiated in tho Lodge he annexed a peculiar mark , to distinguish them from those who wero initiated elsewhere , but only joined tho Lodge . Between 1742 and 1751 twelve brethren were Crafted in tho Lodge , this was a puzzle to all of us ; we could not understand how twelve onlu could havo been

Crafted during 18 years ; however , wo may now easily solve that puzzle , viz ., these twelve brethren were probably initiated in England , and did not deem it necessary while iu England to take moro than an E . A . degree , for I have now no doubt that many Masons in those days took no higher degree than the E . A ., and these twelve were induced , when they camo to Boston , to take tho Fellow Craft degree .

Tho whole number of names on the Lodgo list is 331 . Two other Fellow Craft Lodges wero organised in Boston in 1750 , and assuming that twelve wero initiated in these two Lodges before September 1751 , it will make a total of 343 Masons connected with the Boston Lodges up to September 1751 . The Master Masons' Lodge list is without dates , but tho same

peculiar marks aistmgmsh those who were raised iu the Lodge from those who were raised before January 1739 , or those who were raised elsewhere and joined the Masters' Lodge . The same name is at the end of each list , wo therefore , know that the Master Masons' List is also brought down to September 1751 . The whole number of Boston Master Masons on the list is 105 . We see , then , that between 1733

and September 1751 , tho proportion of thoso who were raised to the Master Masons' degree to thoso who wore not , viz ., 105 wore raised , and 238 were not raised . I will now divide that period , and will show tho proportion of raised and nnraiscd Boston Masons separately . Thus , between 1733 aud January 1739 tho wholo number on tho Lodgo list is 105 , out of

these fifteen were raised before 1739 , and six wero raised in the Masters' Lodge , making a total of 21 . Now deduct 21 from 105 , the remainder is 84 ; thus making 21 raised and 84 not raised . Between January 1739 and September 1751 , 238 brethren became connected with tho Lodges , and out of these 84 wore raised and 154 were not raised ; at least , there is no evidence in all these cases that any moro were raised than the list gives .

Among tho fifteen founders of the Master Masons' Lodge , or at least the fifteen who wero already Master Masons in January 1739 . Price and Tomlinson G . M . are tho only two who figured in the Grand Lodge from the beginning of 1733 . The following table will show , at a glance , the respective years when tho founders of the Master Masons' Lodgo became connected with the Boston Fellow Craft Lodge .

i 1733 1734 1735 173 G 1737 1738 2 2 1 G 3 1

Henry Price is included in the above fifteen . At what periods these were raised I know not ; but I doubt very much whether the Grand Officers and W . M . ' s of tho Lodgo from 1733 had been troubled

Facts Deduced From Massachusetts Masonic Mss.

with the third degree until about tho timo when Tomlinson became G . M . Neither tho D . G . M . and Grand Wardens of 1733 , nor tho W . M . and Wardens of that year , can I find on the Master Masons ' list . But hero ia a MS . dated 23 rd Juno 173 G , containing a list of tho thou Boston Masons , with tho names of tho G . L . and Lod <; o

dignitaries , viz ., Ilonry Prico W . M ., James Gordon D . G . M ., Benjamin Uaron S . G . W ., Robert Tomlinson J . G . W . ( no G . S . here ) , Mackleati W . M ., McDauiel S . W ., and Osborn J . W . Tho M . S . was written by Betelhio , Secretary of tho Lodgo . Baron left Boston immediately after Juno 173 G . About Prico and Tomlinson , I havo already said that thoy wero connected with tho Master Masons' Lodgo ; of tho

remaining four , Gordon , Mackleau , aud Osborn aro not ou tho Masters list : but McDanicl , tho S . AV . of 173 G , is on tho said list , but with tho peculiar mark beside his name , thus denoting that ho was raised iu 1739 . When tho Lodgo lists woro mado in 1751 , MoDaniol waa D . G . M ., and ho is put down as <; i'res . D . G . M . " But hero is

something bolter still . Thos . Oxnard was appointed in 17 13 Prov . G . M . of America , and ho continued in that position till his demise in 1754 . As already stated Oxnard was W . M . iu 173 G , and re-elected in 1737 , bnt tho namo of "Thos . Oxnard pres ' . G . M ., " has also tho mar / .-on tho M . M . 's list , Hhowinw tho W . M . of 1737 was not raised to tho Master Masonn '

degree before 1 / 39 . But even after tho formation of tho Master Masons' Lodge , it seem ?) that tho M . M . degree was not taken by Masters of Lodges , for wo havo here Bro . Bethune , who was initiated iu 1737 , and was W . M . iu 1742 , but his namo is not on tho Master Masons' list . Taking into consideration these several facts , I fool justified in doubting that the third degree had been conferred by Prico on tho Boston

Grand Lodgo dignitaries before Tomlinson s appointment to the Prov . Grand Mastership . But assuming oven that Andrew Belcher and all tho other Grand Lodge officers between July 1733 and January 1739 had had tho third degree conferred npon them , then the very fact that none but Price and Tomlinson had troubled themselves with tho Master Masons' Lodge , proves conclusively that tho Master Masons ' degree was not appreciated in Boston in thoso days ; and as it was in Boston before 1739 so it was in London before 1733 .

Centenary Banquet Of The York Lodge, No. 236.

CENTENARY BANQUET OF THE YORK LODGE , No . 236 .

rpUESDAY last will always bo remembered as a Red Letter Day J- in tho annals of York Masonry , for ifc was tho occasion of a largo gathering of tho brethren of tho Mystic Tie for the purpose of celebrating by a large banquet tho hundreth year of the existence of tho York Lodge , No . 230 . It was in July 1777 , that a Warrant was issued under tho authority of the Grand Lodgo of England , constituting tho Union Lodge of Freemasons at York , and since that date ,

this body has met with varied fortunes , completing its century of existence in a most flourishing condition . Tho Union Lodgo used to meet in its earliest days at Lockwood's Coffieo House , and subsequently , successively at the Theatre Coffee House , on premises iu Blake-street ; afc tho Falcon Hotel , Micklegafce ; afc tho York Hotel , afc tho Elephant and Castle , at the Merchants' Hall , Fossgafco , and iu

the Old Masonic Hall , in Blake-street . Iu 18 G 2 tho foundation stono of the present Masonic Hall was laid , and tho building was consecrated in 18 G 3 . Since that period , mainly owing to tho exertions of Bro . Wm . Cowling P . M ., tho Lodgo has succeeded in paying off the wholo of the debt on the building , which is now the property of tho brethren . Ifc was in tho year 1870 that tho name of tho Lodgo was

changed by permission from " Union " to " York , " and the progress of the Lodge has now for many years been one of great success . The banquet , which was held afc tho De Grey Rooms , was of a most excellent description , and reflected the utmost credit on Bro . J . Toes , to whose hands tho wholo was entrusted . The Worshipful Master Bro . Wm . Cowling P . M ., occupied the chair , tho vice-chairs being

occupied by tho Senior and Junior Wardens , Bros . Sir James Meek P . M ., and W . B . Richardson P . M . The W . M . was supported by the Right Worshipful tho Provincial Grand Master for North and East Yorkshire ( the Earl of Zetland ) ; Bros . J . W . Woodall of Scarborough , the Hon . W . T . Ordc-Powlott , T . W . Tew D . P . G . M . for West Yorkshire , and a number of Provincial Grand Officers , tho entire party

numbering about 120 brethren . During dinner Thrush s band occupied the orchestra , and discoursed appropriate mnsic . Tho usual loyal and patriotic toasts wore duly honoured , and then the W . M . gave the health of the Prov . Grand Master , to whoso active care and zeal for Masonry he referred afc some length . The toast was received with tho utmost enthusiasm , and the Earl of Zetland suitably responded .

Bro . W . B . Richardson then proposed tho " Deputy Provincial Graud Master Dr . Bell , and tho Prov . Grand Lodge , to which Bro . J . W . Woodall P . P . S . G . W . responded , and himself proposed tho Prov . G . Master of tho West Riding , which was responded to by Bro . Tew Deputy P . G . M . Bro . Sir J . Meek gave the army , navy , and volunteer forces , Bros . Major Prissick and the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett replying .

Tho Earl of Zetland in complimentary terms proposed the W . M . and Prosperity to the York Lodge , a toast which met with a very cordial reception . Bro . J . March P . M . gave the health of tho Visitors , to which Bro . Dr . Paley , of Ripon , replied . Bro . R . Davison P . M . gave " The Lodges of the Province , " and Bro . Ford , W . M . of the Constitutional Lodge , Beverley , responded . Bro . J . Terry gave the Past Masters of tho York Lodge , and Bro . R . W . Hollon

P . G . D . C . England , one of the oldest members of the York Lodge , and the oldest Past Master , having occupied tho chair iu 1850 , responded . Bro . C . D . Barstow proposed tho Lord Mayor and Corporation of York , and tho Right Hon . the Lord Mayor ( Bro . James Melrose ) replied . Bro . Dr . Smythe , in a long and very able speech , gave " The Masonic Charities , " to which Bro . J . Terry , tho popular and energetic Secretary of tho Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , responded ,