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Organization
Portland, June 1, A. D. 1820.
Agreeably to an invitation given by the Committee of the Masonic Convention, assembled at Portland, October, 1819, to the several Lodges in Maine to meet at Masons' Hall, in Portland, on the first day of June, 1820, for the purpose of organizing a Grand Lodge for the State of Maine, the following Masters, Wardens and proxies of Lodges appeared:
LODGES.
Portland.—R. W. Samuel Baker, Master; W. Nelson Racklyft and Seth Clark, Wardens.
United.—R. W. Robert P. Dunlap, Proxy.
Cumberland.—R. W. Pelatiah Smith, Master.
Kennebec.—R. W. Peleg Sprague, Master; W. Benjamin Adams, S. W.
Saco.—R. W. Edward S. Moulton, Master; W. George Thacher Jr., S. W.
Oriental.—Bro. James Emerson, Proxy.
Solar.—R. W. Nathaniel Coffin, Proxy; W. Nathaniel Cross, J. W.
Ancient Land-Mark.—R. W. Joseph M. Gerrish, Master; W. Eleazer Wyer and John P. Boyd, Wardens.
York.—W. Joseph Thomas and Enoch Hardy, Wardens.
Oriental Star.—W. Samuel Small, Proxy; Thomas Chase, S. W.
Maine.—Bro. John Reed, Proxy.
Freeport.—R. W. Robert R. Kendall, Master; W. Joseph Lufkin Jr., S. W.
Temple.—R. W. Simon Greenleaf, Proxy.
Village.—R. W. Ebenezer Herrick, Proxy.
Adoniram.—R. W. Moses C. Buswell, Master; Bro. James McArthur, Proxy.
Northern Star.—R. W. William Haskell, Proxy.
Blazing Star.—R. W. Henry Farwell, Proxy.
Amity.—Bro. Jonas Wheeler, Proxy.
Orient.—Bro. Joel Miller, Proxy.
St.Charge.—R. W. John Miller, Master.
Felicity.—R. W. Samuel Little, Proxy.
Belfast.—Bro. Joseph Williamson, Proxy.
Eastern.—R. W. Daniel Garland, Master.
Tranquil.—R. W. Oliver Pollard, Master; W. Alden Blossom, S. W.
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The R. W. Simon Greenleaf, Esq., was elected Chairman of the meeting, and W. John P. Boyd, Esq., Secretary.
Voted, That in forming the Grand Lodge of Maine, each of the Lodges in Maine be entitled to a representation according to the regulations of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Voted, As the sense of this meeting, that Lodges of Past Masters holden under the jurisdiction of any Grand Royal Arch Chapter, are to be considered regular Lodges within the meaning of the 10th Section, 3d Chapter of the regulations of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Voted, That we now proceed to the organization of the Grand Lodge of Maine, by the election of such officers and in such manner as is required by the regulations of our late parent Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Whereupon, the following R. W. Brethren were elected to the respective offices following, viz.:
Hon. WILLIAM KING, Governor of the State, Grand Master.
R. W. SIMON GREENLEAF, Esq., of Portland, Senior Grand Warden.
R. W. NATHANIEL COFFIN, Esq., of Wiscasset, Junior Grand Warden.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, of Portland, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, of Portland, Recording Grand Secretary.
Voted, That R. W. Brothers Nathaniel Coffin, George Thacher Jr., Peleg Sprague, Samuel Baker and Samuel Small be a committee to notify the Hon. William King of his election to the office of Grand Master,
Who was pleased to return for answer that he would meet the Grand Lodge to-morrow evening in person and signify his acceptance of the office.
Voted, That R. W. Nathaniel Coffin, George Thacher Jr., Robert P. Dunlap and Joseph M. Gerrish be a committee to prepare and present a Petition to the Legislature for an act of incorporation of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
Voted, That R. W. Nathaniel Coffin, Peleg Sprague and Samuel Small be a committee to prepare such resolutions as may be proper to adopt to-morrow evening.
Adjourned to tomorrow evening at seven o'clock.
JOHN P. BOYD, Secretary.
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Masons' Hall, Friday, June 2d, A. D. 1820.
The Grand Lodge met according to adjournment. Present as last evening, with the addition of Pythagorean Lodge, represented by James W. Ripley, Esq., Master.
Voted, That R. W. Peleg Sprague, Samuel Small, Robert P. Dunlap, John P. Boyd and James L. Child be a committee to wait on the M. W. Grand Master, and inform him that the Grand Lodge is open and ready to receive him.
After which the M. W. Grand Master entered, accompanied by W. John Chandler, Esq., President of the Senate, W. Benjamin Ames, Esq., Speaker of the House of Representatives, and several other brethren of distinction, and, on taking the chair, addressed the Grand Lodge as follows:
R. W. and Worshipful Officers and Members of this Grand Lodge:
In the circumstances under which I have appeared before you, to enter upon the office to which you have been pleased to elevate me, I can do little more at this time than express my acceptance of the trust, and say to you that according to the best of my ability I will endeavor to discharge its duties.
It would have been much more agreeable to me, at least for the present, to have appeared in the Lodge only as a private brother; but as Masonry teaches us to regard the duties we owe to God and the Community as paramount to all others, I will endeavor to perform them by attending to the wishes of my brethren, rather than by gratifying my own.
Voted, That R. W. Nathaniel Coffin, Joseph M. Gerrish and Eleazer Wyer be a committee to procure a seal with proper device, and also the necessary Regalia for this Grand Lodge as soon as may be, and that the Grand Treasurer be authorized to advance them such sum as may be necessary therefor, they to be accountable for the expenditure of the same.
Voted, That R. W. Simon Greenleaf, Robert P. Dunlap, George Thacher Jr., Samuel Little and Joel Miller be a committee to prepare and report a code of By-Laws for this Grand Lodge.
Voted, That this Grand Lodge shall be consecrated and its officers installed on the ensuing festival of St. John the Baptist at Portland.
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Voted, That a communication be made to the M. W. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, acquainting them that the Grand Lodge of Maine is now organized by the unanimous election of the M. W. William King, the Governor of the State, as their Grand Master, and by the election and appointment of masonic brethren to fill the other various offices of the same; that they have appointed Portland, the 24th day of June inst., as the place and time for the consecration of the Grand Lodge and installation of its officers, and request the assistance of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in these important and interesting services. Also, that a similar communication be made to the M. W. Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, inviting them to attend upon the occasion.
Voted, That the account of expenses of the Masonic Convention in Maine, as liquidated by them, and advanced and paid by their Treasurer, amounting to the sum of two hundred dollars and 75-l00ths, be assumed by this Grand Lodge, and that the Grand Treasurer be authorized to pay the same, and charge it in his account.
Voted, That all the Lodges under this jurisdiction be requested to forward, as soon as may be to the Grand Treasurer, a statement of their dues to the Grand Lodge up to the first day of March last, and to pay to him, either directly or through their D. D. G. Masters, the sums appearing to be due as soon as may be; also, that all the District Deputy Grand Masters having sums in their hands due to this Grand Lodge pay over the same immediately.
Voted, That R. W. Samuel Baker, Joseph M. Gerrish, John P. Boyd, Seth Clark and William Lord, be a committee of arrangements and ceremonies to make all necessary preparations for the 24th of June.
Voted, That B. W. Nathaniel Coffin, Robert P. Dunlap and Benjamin Adams, be a committee to select some brother to deliver an address before the fraternity at the consecration of this Grand Lodge.
Voted, That the Grand Treasurer be authorized to borrow on the credit of the Grand Lodge such sums as may be necessary for its use under the votes already passed.
Voted, That the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary be a committe on the subject of Diplomas for this Grand Lodge.
The M. W. Grand Master then addressed the Grand Lodge as follows:
Brethren : As it will be impossible for me to attend personally at many of your meetings during the year, you will permit me to avail myself now of the privilege of my office to announce to you the appointment of a Deputy Grand Master, who will discharge the duties of the chair in my absence. I have selected for this office, and do now appoint to be Deputy Grand Master, Rt. Worshipful Brother Simon Greenleaf, Esq., of Portland.
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The R. W. Simon Greenleaf thereupon accepted the office of Deputy Grand Master, and resigned his office of Senior Grand Warden.
The M. W. Grand Master was then pleased to make the following appointments, viz.:
R. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, Esq., of Brunswick, Corresponding Gr. Sec'y.
R. W. and Rev. GIDEON W. OLNEY, of Gardiner, Grand Chaplain.
R W. JOSEPH E. FOXCROFT, Esq., of New Gloucester, Grand Marshal.
R. W. GEORGE THACHER Jr., Esq., of Saco, Grand Sword Bearer.
R. W. HENRY W. FULLER, Esq., of Augusta, Senior Grand Deacon.
R. W. JOSIAH CALEF, of Saco, Junior Grand Deacon.
R. W. WILLIAM TORRY, of Bath, 1st Grand Steward.
R. W. JESSE ROBINSON, of Hallowell, 2d Grand Steward.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, of Portland, 3d Grand Steward.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, of Portland, 4th Grand Steward.
R. W. SETH CLARK, of Portland, 1st Grand Pursuivant.
R. W. JOHN P. BOYD, Esq., of Portland, 2d Grand Pursuivant.
Brother WILLIAM STEVENS, of Portland, Grand Tyler.
Voted, That we now proceed to the choice of Senior Grand Warden.
On sorting and counting the ballots it appeared that R. W. William Swan, Esq., was elected Senior Grand Warden for the ensuing year.
A Petition from a number of brethren in Gardiner, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge there by the name of Hermon Lodge, was read, and committed to R. W. Brothers Peleg Sprague, Robert P. Dunlap and William Haskell.
Voted, That the Grand Secretary notify the officers of the Grand Lodge of their appointments by the M. W. Grand Master.
The Grand Lodge then adjourned to meet at this place on the 23d day of June inst., at seven o'clock P. M.
Attest: WILLIAM LORD, Grand Secretary.
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