ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. 1829.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, January 15, A. D. 1829.
Present—M. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, G. Master.
R. W. DANIEL GRANGER, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER. J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal.
R. W. Rev. ASA MEAD, G. Chaplain.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, G. Steward.
R. W. JOHN CHUTE, G. Steward. p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH B. WALTON, G. Steward. p. t.
R. W. ROBERT R. KENDALL, G. Sword Bearer.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.PAST GRAND OFFICER.
R. W. CHARLES FOX.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
R. W. Rev. REUBEN NASON, from the First District
R. W. THOMAS CLARK, from the Second District.
R. W. MOSES SPRINGER, from the Third District
The following lodges were represented, viz:
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Portland, No. 1 St. George, No. 16 Hermon, No. 32
Lincoln, No. 3 A. Land-Mark, No. 17 Waterville, No. 33
Hancock, No. 4 Oriental Star, No. 21 Washington, No. 37
Kennebec, No. 5 Freeport, No. 23 Morning Star, No. 41
Saco, No. 9 Temple, No. 25 Freedom, No. 42
Cumberland, No. 12 Village, No. 26 Aurora, No. 50
Oriental, No. 13 Northern Star, No. 28 St. John's, No. 51
Orient, No. 15 Blazing Star, No. 30
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayers were offered by the Grand Chaplain.
A communication was received from R. W. Brother Simon Greenleaf, informing the Grand Lodge that he resigned his seat at the board of Trustees of the Charity Fund.
The Committee on Finance submitted their annual report, as follows, viz:
Your committee are aware that the welfare of the Grand Lodge depends much on its finances; at the same time, they are equally sensible that the Grand Treasurer has been both faithful and prompt in discharging the duties of his office, not only for the last year, but for a series of years, in which he has sustained that office, with honor to himself and great satisfaction to this Grand Lodge; yet on him alone does not rest the prosperity of our finances; they therefore regret, that whilst he has sedulously and gratuitously performed these duties, he should have so much trouble in obtaining the returns and accounts from the District Deputy Grand Masters, some of which are not received until the actual meeting of the Grand Lodge, and many not until after its adjournment, and some are even delayed for years; by this course, the charity fund of the Grand Lodge is not increased as it should be, by one half of the balance remaining, or which ought to be in the Treasury at the annual settlement; it would therefore be more satisfactory to the Grand Treasurer, and certainly would also be to the committee, to be able, as was contemplated by the By-Laws, to make a fair and full exhibit of the financial concerns of the Grand Lodge in their Annual Report, previous to the choice and appointment of its officers.
The D. D. G. Master of the 2d district forms an exception to the above remarks, inasmuch as he in due season made the returns of all the lodges working in his district, and settled his account.
Your committee have also performed that part of their duty which relates to the inspection of the records of the Secretary, and are happy to report that they have been kept with his usual care and neatness.
And they would recommend that there be paid to the Grand Treasurer for his services the year past, the sum of thirty dollars, and to the Grand Secretary for his services the year past, the sum of sixty dollars, being the same amount as voted them the last year, and also recommend that the sum of eight dollars be paid to the Grand Tyler.
CHARLES FOX,
January 15,1829. ELEAZER WYER,
Committee on Finance
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Report of the Corresponding Grand Secretary.
The Corresponding Grand Secretary respectfully reports:
That, since the last Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge, be has received the proceedings of the Grand Lodges of Indiana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Delaware, Virginia, Massachusetts and Kentucky, and the Constitutions and By-Laws of the Grand Lodges of Connecticut and the District of Columbia; all which he has carefully examined. The subjects which they present do not seem to require the particular attention of this Grand Lodge, being, generally speaking, of a local character, and therefore not of general interest, except as they tend to show the prospects and condition of the Masonic Fraternity in the different parts of the country.
It is a source of satisfaction to be able, from a perusal of the Foreign Correspondence, to remark that our sister Grand Lodges seem to take a lively interest in advancing the reputation and promoting the prosperity of our venerable institution, which, by constantly contributing its means to diminish the sum of human misery, in pursuance of its original design, furnishes the best refutation of the unjust slanders of its enemies, and of those, who, from ignorance of its principles, or from sinister motives, have arrayed themselves against it.
JOHN LOUVILLE MEGQUIER, Cor. Grand Sec'y.
January 15, 1829.
Which report was accepted.
The Grand Lodge proceeded to the election of officers.
The following R. W. Brethren were chosen a Committee to sort and count the votes for Grand Officers, viz.: R. W. Charles Fox, Daniel Granger and John Miller, who reported the following brethren to be duly elected, viz:
M. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN of Portland, G. Master.
R. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP of Brunswick, S. G. Warden.
R. W. AMOS NOURSE of Hallowell, J. G. Warden.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH of Portland, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD of Portland, Rec. G. Sec'y.
R. W. Charles Fox, Eleazer Wyer and Nehemiah Cram were chosen a Committee on Finance.
R. W. Charles Fox was chosen to constitute one of the board of Trustees of the Charity Fund, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of R. W. Simon Greenleaf.
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The M. W. Samuel Fessenden, Grand Master elect, was duly invested by R. W. Charles Fox, Past Grand Master.
The M. W. Grand Master then installed the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer and Recording Grand Secretary.
R. W. Bro. Joseph M. Gerrish made a donation to the Charity Fund of Thirty Dollars, being the amount allowed him for his services as Grand Treasurer the past year.
On motion,
Voted unanimously, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge be presented to R. W. Bro. Gerrish, for this renewed instance of his liberality, and that the donation be distributed by the Trustees agreeably to his wishes.
A communication from St. George Lodge was laid before the Grand Lodge. Read and ordered to lie on the table.
The Grand Lodge adjourned to Friday evening next, Jan. 16.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
Masons' Hall, Portland, Jan. 16, A. D. 1829.
The Grand Lodge met agreeably to adjournment.
Present—M. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, G. Master.
R. W. THOMAS CLARK, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Sec'y.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, Jun. G. Deacon p.. t.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, G. Steward.
R. W. JOHN CHUTE, G. Steward.
R. W. ROBERT R. KENDALL, G. Sword Bearer.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.Page 186
PAST GRAND OFFICERS.
R. W. WILLIAM SWAN.
R.W. CHARLES FOX.
District Deputy Grand Masters, from the First and Second Districts.
The following lodges were represented, viz :
Portland, No. 1 Village, No. 26
Hancock, No. 4 Northern Star, No. 28
Kennebec, No. 5 Blazing Star, No. 30
Rising Virtue, No. 10 Hermon, No. 32
Cumberland, No. 12 Waterville, No. 33
Oriental, No. 13 Washington, No. 37
A. Land Mark, No. 17 Alna, No. 43
York, No. 22 Buxton, No. 47
Temple, No. 25 Vassalborough, No. 64
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. The following report was submitted:
The committee to whom was referred the memorial of Waterville Lodge, have had the same under consideration, and ask leave to report, that said memorial and the resolutions thereon, relating to an institution for female education, be referred to the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge. All which is respectfully submitted.
January 16, 1829. EBENEZER HUTCHINSON, per order.
Which report was accepted.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master then made the following appointments for the ensuing year, which were announced by the Grand Marshal, viz:
R. W. PELEG SPRAGUE, of Hallowell, Deputy Grand Master.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, of Portland, Cor. Grand Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, of Gorham, Grand Marshal.
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL RAND, of Portland, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL JOHNSON, of Saco, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. STEPHEN LOVELL, of Portland, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. ISAAC LINCOLN, of Brunswick, Sen. Grand Deacon.
R. W. OLIVER GRISWOLD, of Fryeburg, Jun. Grand Deacon.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R. W. William DUNN, of Poland, Grand Steward.
R. W. JOSEPH CHANDLER, of Augusta, Grand Steward.Page 187
R. W. ROBERT R. KENDALL, of Freeport, Grand Sword Bearer.
R. W. SETH CLARK, of Portland, Grand Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, of do.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, of Portland, Grand Tyler.
The above named officers were severally installed by the M. W. Grand Master, either by themselves or proxies.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
First District—R. W. Rev. Reuben Nason, of Gorham.
Second District—R. W. Thomas Clark, of Paris.
Third District—R. W. Cyrus Kendrick, of Gardiner.
Fourth District—R. W. Isaac G. Reed, of Waldoborough.
Fifth District—Samuel K. Gilman, of Castine.
Sixth District—R. W. Oliver N. Allen, of Lubec.
Seventh District.—R. W. Samuel L. Valentine, of Bangor.
The following brethren compose the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund:
M. W. Samuel Fessenden, Grand Master, ex officio.
R. W. Peleg Sprague, Deputy Grand Master, ex officio.
R. W. Robert P. Dunlap, Senior Grand Warden, ex officio.
R. W. Amos Nourse, Junior Grand Warden, ex officio.
R. W. William Lord, Recording Grand Secretary, ex officio.
R. W. Albion K. Parris,
R. W. Daniel Granger,
R. W. William Swan,
R. W. Thomas Browne,
R. W. Nehemiah Cram,
R. W. Charles Fox.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Trustees of the Charity Fund at their Meeting, Jan. 15, 1829.
R. W. Eleazer Wyer was appointed a committee to procure clothing and jewel for one District Deputy Grand Master.
Prayers were offered by R. W. Bro. Moses Springer, and the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine, was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, April 16, A. D. 1829.
Present—M. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Master, p. t.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. HORACE SEAVER, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
R. W. JOHN CHUTE, S. G. Deacon, p.t.
R. W. SAMUEL BRADLEY, J. G. Deacon, p, t.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.
The following lodges were represented, viz :
Orient, No. 15 St. Croix, No. 46
Ancient Land Mark, No. 17 Buxton, No. 47
The Grand Lodge was opened in due form.
There being no business before the. Grand Lodge this evening, it was closed in due form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
Page 189
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, July 16, A. D. 1829.
Present—M. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, Grand Master.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOHN CHUTE, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, R. G. Secretary.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NEHEMIAH CRAM, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.
The following lodges were represented, viz:
Portland, No. 1 A. Land Mark, No. 17
Rising Virtue, No. 10 Fraternal, No. 55
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
Communications from the Grand Lodges of Mississippi and the District of Columbia were laid before the Grand Lodge, read, and ordered to be put on file.
A communication from Fraternal Lodge, at Shapleigh, was laid before the Grand Lodge, communicating their desire to have said lodge consecrated and its officers installed on the ninth day of September, 1829. Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge, in compliance with the request of Fraternal Lodge, will cause said lodge to be consecrated, and its officers installed, on the ninth day of September next.
The Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
Page 190
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, Oct. 22, A. D. 1829.
Present—M. W. WILLIAM SWAN, Grand Master, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOHN CHUTE, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, R. G. Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal.
R. W. ARTHUR McARTHUR, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. PASCHAL BROOKS, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.
The following lodges were represented, viz:
Portland, No. 1 Adoniram, No. 27
A. Land Mark, No. 17 Mt. Moriah, No. 66
The Grand Lodge was opened in due form.
A petition from Penobscot Lodge, at Garland, for the removal of said lodge, was read, and committed to R. W. Joseph M. Gerrish, Charles Fox and Samuel Stephenson, to report at the next Annual Communication.
The following resolution was submitted by R. W. J. B. Osgood:
Resolved, That Chap. 4th, Sec. 17th, of the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, be amended as respects the time in which a subordinate lodge may be consecrated and its officers installed, and that the two years which is now allowed from the date of its charter, be extended to such time, and under such regulations and restrictions as the Grand Lodge may adopt.
The foregoing resolve being read,
Ordered, That the further consideration of it be postponed to the next Annual Communication, and that a copy be forwarded to the several subordinate lodges for their consideration.
The Grand Lodge was closed in due form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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