Early Masonry In New Hampshire, U.S.

EARLY MASONRY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE , U . S .

{ From the Masonie Monthly , Boston , U . S . ) Several years since , the writer devoted much time and earnest effort to the collection of material for a connected history of Freemasonry in New England . Much interesting and valuable matter Avas accumulatedbutfor reasons unnecessary to

, , state in this place , the work was abandoned , and it is doubtful if it is ever resumed by the same hands . Recently , while considering what theme to select as the foundation of an article for the

masonic Monthly , the thought suggested itself , that perhaps its readers Avould be interested in a few notes on the first introduction and early history of Masonry in NOAV England . Imagining that an affirmitive response would be given , Avere opportunity alloAved for asking the question , Ave

have brought forth our dusty note-book from its hiding-place , and propose to lay it under tribute for a short series of articles under the above heading . In order that the younger members of the Order may fully appreciate the chronological

interest that attaches to the early history of the institution in the above-named State , it seems proper to refer , briefly , to the re-organisation of the Order in 1717 .

The first Grand Lodge of Masons of which Ave have , authentic account , Avas formed at York , England , in 926 . It consisted of an assembly , or congregation , of all the Masons in the realm Avho pleased to attend , and Avho , when assembled , chose a Grand Master for the ensuing- year . The

Grand Master appointed his few subordinate officers , and during the interim from one assembly to another , exercised supervision' OA er the whole fraternity in England . In the early part of the eighteenth century , Masonry in England had fallen into decay ; the number of lodges had decreased

, and the annual festivals were entirely neglected . But four lodges survived in all the south part of England , these Avere in the city of London . In the early part of 1717 , the Masons in that city , and its environs , resolved to organise

themselves under a new . Grand Master , and revive the communications ancl festivals of the society . For this purpose , these four old lodges , with " some older brethren , " met at the Apple Tree Tavern , " and having voted the oldest Master Mason then present , into the chair , constituted

themselves a Grand Lodge pro torn ., in clue form / ' ' It was then resolved to revive the quarterly communications of the fraternity , anct to hold the next annual assembly ancl feast , on the 24 th of June , at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern ( in compliment to the oldest lodgewhich then met there )

, for the purpose of electing a Grand Master . Accordingly , on the 24 th of June , the assembly and feast were held at that place , when the oldest Master Mason ( the Master of a lodge ) having taken the chair , a list of proper candidates for

the office of Grand Master was produced , and the names being separately proposed , " the brethren , by a great majority of hands , elected Mr . Anthony Sayer , Grand Master of Masons for the ensuingyear . He was forthwith invested by the said oldest Master , installed by the Master of the

oldest lodge , and duly congratulated by the assembly . " The Grand Master then appointed his Wardens , and commanded the brethren of the four lodges to meet him ancl his Wardens quarterly in " communication . Among the regulations which were proposed and agreed to at this meeting was

the folioAving : — " That the privilege of assembling as Masons , which had been hitherto unlimited , should be vested in certain lodges , or assemblies of Masons , convened in certain places ; and that every lodge to be hereafter convenedexcept the four old

, lodges , at this time existing , should be legally authorised to act by a warrant from the Grand Master , for the time being , granted to certain individuals by petition , with the consent and

approbation of the Grand Lodge , in communication ; and that without such warrant , no lodge should be hereafter deemed regular and constitutional . " Thus was organised the Grand Lodge of England , from which most of the present Grand Lodges trace their descent . From this time Masonry

began to flourish with unprecedented vigour , ancl soon took root in America . Upon the application of a number of brethren in Boston , a warrant , dated April 30 , 1733 , ivas granted by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , appointing the R . W . Henry Price , Grand Master in

North America , Avith full power to appoint his Deputy , and the other officers necessary for forming a Grand Lodge ; ancl also to constitute lodges of Free and Accepted Masons as often as occasion should require . By authority of his commission ,, the Grand Master opened a Grand Lodge at the

Bunch of Grapes Tavern , in King ( now State ) Street , in Boston , on the 30 th of July , 1733 , in due form , and appointed his Deputy , and Grand 'Wardens , pro tem .

Thus ivas organised the first Grand Lodge in America . It took the name of " St . John ' s Grand Lodge . " On the day it was organised , a petition was received from " several worthy brethren residing in Boston , praying to be constituted into a regular lodge . " The petition was

granted , and the UOAV lodge Avas styled , " The First Lodge in Boston .- " The name was subsequently changed to " St . John's Lodge , " Avhich name it still retains .

Early in 1734 , Grand Master Price received authority from the Grand Lodge of England " to establish Masonry in all North America ; " and on the 24 th of June of the same year , " a petition was presented from Benjamin Franklin , and several brethren residing in Philadelphia , for a constitution for holding a lodge in that city . " The petition was granted , and Franklin was