ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. 1831.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, January 20, A. D. 1831.
Present—M. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, 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. PASCHAL BROOKS, Cor. G. Secretary.
R. W. MANLY HARDY, G. Marshal, p. t.
R. W. Rev. ALLEN H. COBB, G. Chaplain, p. t.
R. W. GORHAM PARKS, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. DAVID BURBANK, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, G. Steward.
R. W. OLIVER GERRISH, G. Sword Bearer.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.PAST GRAND OFFICERS.
R. W. WILLIAM SWAN.
R. W. CHARLES FOX.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN.DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, from the First District.
The following lodges were represented, viz:
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Portland, No. 1 Cumberland, No. 12 Casco, No. 36
Hancock, No. 4 Solar, No. 14 Washington, No. 37
Kennebec, No. 5 A. Land Mark, No. 16 Harmony, No. 38
Amity, No. 6 Oriental Star, No. 21 Aurora, No. 50
Eastern, No. 7 Temple, No. 25 Fraternal, No. 55
United, No. 8 Felicity, No. 28 Mount Moriah, No. 56
Saco, No. 9 Freeport, No. 32
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayers were offered by the Grand Chaplain.
The Committee on Finance submitted the following report:
| The Committee on Finance having attended to the various duties of their appointment, submit their annual report, as follows : | ||
| There was a balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer at the annual settlement, Jan. 1830, of | $15.38-1/2 | |
| Received from the D. D. G. Master of 2d District on second return, | $6.00 | |
| Received from the D. D. G. Master of 7th District on second return, | 27.00 | 33.00 |
| Received for my note given by virtue of a vote of the Grand Lodge, | 120.00 | |
| $168.38-1/2 | ||
| There has been paid by the Treasurer since the last annual report, as follows : | ||
| To increase the Charity Fund, being one-half of the balance remaining in the Treasury on settlement, 1830, | 7.69 | |
| Sundry printing bills amounting to | 21.25 | |
| Amount allowed the G. Treasurer for his services up to January, 1830, | 30.00 | |
| Amount allowed Grand R. Sec'y for his services to same period, | 55.00 | |
| Amount allowed G. Tyler for his services to same period, | 8.00 | |
| Amount paid G. Steward's bill to this period, | 47.38 | |
| Paid interest on moneys borrowed, | 3.00 | |
| Stationery and postages, | 12.77 | |
| Paid Hall rent to January 1, 1831, | 40.00 | |
| S. L. Valentine, D. D. G. Master 7th District, for sundry expenses, | 2.28 | |
| Cash, paid money borrowed for use of Grand Lodge | 120.00 | |
| 347.37 | ||
| Deduct amount of receipts as per statement, | 168.38-1/2 | |
| Leaving due the Treasurer on this account, | $178.98-1/2 | |
| Statement of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Maine, January,1831. | ||
| 10 shares in Bank of Portland, | 1000.00 | |
| 10 shares in Casco Bank, | 1000.00 | |
| 20 shares in Canal Bank, | 2000.00 | |
| Sundry Notes of hand on interest, in the hands of the Treasurer, and which are satisfactorily secured. | 910.00 | |
| Cash in the hands of the Treasurer, | 278.00 | $5188.00 |
| Received since the last annual settlement, viz: | 286.22 | |
| For interest and dividends on Bank Stock, | ||
| He has paid in sundry donations by order of the Trustees, | 139.00 | |
| Balance applicable to relief, | 147.22 | $286.22 |
| Donations made by the Board of Trustees, January 20, 1831, | 147.00 | |
| Leaving a balance in the hands of the Treasurer, of | .22 | |
| There is in the hands of the Treasurer applicable to the increase of the funds, | $278.00-1/2 | |
The accounts of the Treasurer have been examined and found correct. Your Committee have also examined the records of the Grand Secretary, and find in both instances that the duties of their respective offices have been discharged with their usual accuracy and fidelity. They recommend an allowance of forty dollars for his services to this period—thirty dollars to the Grand Treasurer, and eight dollars to the Grand Tyler for their services to this period. Although the foregoing statement of the funds of the Grand Lodge does not present a very cheering aspect, the Committee are pleased to learn that there are no outstanding debts due from the lodge excepting the balance stated to be due the Treasurer, which may be liquidated by obtaining a credit from the Charity Fund, to be reimbursed hereafter. All which is respectfully submitted.
Portland, Jan. 20, 1831. WILLIAM SWAN. for the Com. on Finance.
Which report was accepted.
Voted, That the several sums recommended in the Report of the Committee of Finance for services, be paid to the persons therein named, by the Grand Treasurer, as recommended.
R. W. Bro. Joseph M. Gerrish presented the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge with the sum of Thirty Dollars, being the amount allowed him for his services as Grand Treasurer the past year.
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Voted, unanimously, that the thanks of this Grand Lodge be presented to R. W. Brother Gerrish, for this repeated instance of his liberality, and that the donation be distributed agreeable to his request, viz: to Bro. Wm. Stevens, of Portland, ten dollars; to Rev. Jacob Herrick, of Durham, ten dollars; to the wife of Jacob Herrick, Jr., five dollars, and to the widow Brown, of Portland, five dollars.
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. William Swan, Benjamin J. Herrick and Moses Fuller, who reported the following brethren to be duly elected, viz:
M. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP of Brunswick, Grand Master.
R. W. AMOS NOURSE of Hallowell, Senior Grand Warden.
R. W. Rev. REUBEN NASON of Gorham, Junior Grand Warden.
R. W. JAMES B. CAHOON of Portland, Grand Treasurer.1
R. W. WILLIAM LORD of Portland, Recording Grand Secretary.-------
1R. W. JOSEPH M.Gerrish was unanimously re-elected, but declined to serve.
R. W. Charles Fox, Joseph M. Gerrish and Eleazer Wyer were chosen a Committee of Finance.
The M. W. Grand Master then installed the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer and Recording Grand Secretary.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Maine.
The Corresponding Grand Secretary respectfully reports:
That since the last Annual Communication the friendly courtesies of this Grand Lodge have been reciprocated by the Grand Lodges of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio, Vermont, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, Mississippi, Maryland and Delaware, from whom the proceedings at their annual communications have been duly received by the Grand Secretary.
These communications are occupied mostly with matters of a local character, and after a careful examination of their proceedings, it is believed that nothing is presented particularly requiring the attention of this Grand Lodge.
January 20, 1831. PASCHAL BROOKS, C. G. Secretary.
Which report was accepted.
Voted, That the Grand Treasurer be authorized to borrow on the credit of the Grand Lodge, the sum of two hundred and fifty-six dollars and ninety-eight cents, for the purpose of paying the debts due by the Grand Lodge.
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Voted, That the further consideration of the resolution submitted by R. W. Amos Nourse at the last Annual Communication, be postponed until the next Quarterly Communication of this Grand Lodge.
On motion,
Voted, That a further time of one year be allowed for the consecration of Mount Moriah Lodge of Denmark, and the installation of its officers.
A communication from Fraternal Lodge at Shapleigh was laid before the Grand Lodge. Read and committed to R. W. W'm Swan, Gorham Parks and David C. Magoun, to report at the adjournment.
The Grand Lodge adjourned to Friday evening next, Jan. 21.
Masons' Hall, Portland, January 21, A. D. 1831.
The Grand Lodge met at 7 o'clock, P. M., agreeably to adjournment.
Present—M. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, Grand Master,
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. MOSES PULLER, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JAMES B. CAHOON, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, R. G. Secretary.
R. W. PASCHAL BROOKS, Cor. G. Sec'y.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Marshal, p. t.
R. W. S. G. LADD, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. DAVID C. MAGOUN . J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, G. Steward.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.PAST GRAND OFFICER.
R. W. WILLIAM SWAN.
Lodges represented as yesterday.
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master then made the following appointments for the ensuing year, which were announced by the Grand Marshal, viz:
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R.W. NATHANIEL COFFIN, of Wiscasset, Deputy Grand Master.
R.W. PASCHAL BROOKS, of Portland, Cor. Grand Secretary.
R.W. ROBERT R. KENDALL, of Freeport, Grand Marshal.
R.W. Rev. SAMUEL JOHNSON, of Saco, Grand Chaplain.
R.W. Rev. ALLEN H. COBB, of Durham, Grand Chaplain.
R.W. Rev. SILAS STEARNS, of Bath, Grand Chaplain.
R.W. OLIVER GRISWOLD, of Fryeburg, Sen. Grand Deacon.
R.W. MOSES SPRINGER, Jr., of Gardiner, Jun. Grand Deacon.
R.W. NELSON RACKLYFT, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R.W. ELEAZER WYER, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R.W. JOSEPH CHANDLER, of Augusta, Grand Steward.
R.W. ISAAC GAGE, of Hallowell, Grand Steward.
R.W. OLIVER GERRISH, of Portland, G. Sword Bearer.
R.W. SETH CLARK, of Portland, G. Pursuivant,
R.W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, of Portland, G. Pursuivant,
R.W. WILLIAM STEVENS, of Portland, G. 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. Samuel Stephenson, of Gorham.
Second District—R. W. Stephen Emery, of Paris.
Third District—R. W. Andrew Masters, of Hallowell.
Fourth District—R. W. Isaac G. Reed, of Waldoborough.
Fifth District—R. W. Hezekiah Williams, of Castine.
Sixth District—R. W. Oliver N. Allen, of Lubec.
Seventh District—R. W. David Shepard, of Sebec.
The following brethren compose the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund:
M. W. Robert P. Dunlap, Grand Master, ex officio
R. W. Nathaniel Coffin, Deputy Grand Master, ex officio
R. W. Amos Nourse, Senior Grand Warden, ex officio
R. W. Rev. Reuben Nason, Junior Grand Warden, ex officio
R. W. William Lord, Recording Grand Secretary, ex officio
R. W. Albion K. Parris.
R. W. Samuel Fessenden.
R. W. William Swan.
R. W. Charles Fox.
R. W. Daniel Granger.
R. W. Nehemiah Cram.
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The following resolution was submitted by R. W. William Swan :
Resolved, That from and after this date, every subordinate lodge shall pay annually for the support of the Grand Lodge, one-eighth of a dollar for each member constituting such Lodge, such dues to be collected and paid into the Treasury of the Grand Lodge conformable to the By-Laws.
The foregoing resolution was read and committed to R. W. William Swan, John L. Megquier and S. G. Ladd, which Committee made the following report:
The Committee appointed to consider a resolve proposing an amendment to the By-Laws, have considered the subject, and are unanimously of opinion that it is expedient to adopt the same, but recommend that it lie over till the next Annual Communication, and that the Secretary communicate the same to the lodges under this jurisdiction.
January, 1831. WILLIAM SWAN, per order.
The foregoing report having been read,
Ordered, That it lie over to the next Annual Communication, and that it be communicated to subordinate lodges before the Annual Communication.
The Committee to whom was referred the communication from Fraternal Lodge at Shapleigh, submitted the following report:
The undersigned, a Committee of the Grand Lodge, have had under consideration the petition of Fraternal Lodge to be installed in ample form, and ask leave to report and recommend, that so much of the prayer of said petition as relates to an extension of time and to an installation be granted, and they further recommend that the whole ceremony be under the direction of the District Deputy Grand Master for the district in which said lodge is situated. Respectfully submitted,
January, 1831. WILLIAM SWAN, per order.
Which report was accepted.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Trustees of the Charity Fund at their meeting, January 20, 1831.
The Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS.
[Transcript of the Record.]
Grand Lodge of Maine
Quarterly Communication at Masons' Hall in Portland, Thursday, April 21, A. D. 1831.
No members present, and the Grand Lodge was not opened.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
Grand Lodge of Maine
Quarterly Communication at Masons' Hall in Portland, Thursday, July 21, A. D. 1831.
Present—Brothers [John K.] Gilman, John L. Megquier, David Burbank, W. Morse, Jr.,John Purinton and William Lord.
The Charter, Records &c, of Kennebec Lodge, were returned to the Grand Lodge by Bro's Gilman and Morse.
Not being members enough present, the Grand Lodge was not opened.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, Grand Secretary.
Grand Lodge of Maine
Quarterly Communication at Masons' Hall in Portland, Thursday, October 20, A. D. 1831.
The Grand Lodge was not opened, there being no officers present except the Secretary.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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SPECIAL COMMUNICATION.
A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, (by order of the M. W. Grand Master), Monday, December 19, A. D. 1831.
Present—M. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, G. Master.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JAMES B. CAHOON, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Secy.
R. W. PASCHAL BROOKS, Cor. G. Secretary.
R. W. ROBERT R. KENDALL, G. Marshal.
R. W. DAVID BURBANK, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. GEORGE L. DARLING, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. ARTHUR M. DAVIS, G. Pursuivant, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.
The following lodges were represented, viz:
Portland, No. 1 A. Land Mark, No. 17 Harmony, No. 38
United, No. 3 Freeport, No. 23
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
The resolution submitted by R. W. Amos Nourse, at the Annual Communication in January, 1830, viz:
Resolved, That Section third, Chapter first, of the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, be so amended, as to strike out Portland, and insert Hallowell, or Augusta,
was taken into consideration, and after being amended by striking out Hallowell, was unanimously adopted.
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A communication was received from Joseph Chandler, Benjamin Davis, and Rufus Chandler, Jr., a committee of Bethlehem Lodge at Augusta, tendering to this Grand Lodge the use of their hall at Augusta for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge.
Voted, That this Grand Lodge accept the offer made by Bethlehem Lodge for their accommodation.
Voted, That R. W. Joseph Chandler of Augusta, Amos Nourse of Hallowell, and Moses Springer, Jr., of Gardiner, be a committee to make arrangements for the meeting of the Grand Lodge at Augusta.
Voted, That Charles B. Smith and Joseph M. Gerrish be a committee to take charge of the records, papers and furniture of the Grand Lodge, now in the hands of the Treasurer and Secretary, and deliver the same to the Secretary and Treasurer, or other officers of the Grand Lodge that may be chosen at the Annual Communication, taking their receipt for the same.
Voted, That Charles B. Smith and Joseph M. Gerrish be a committee to dispose of all the unnecessary furniture of the Grand Lodge, and pay the amount received for the same into the Treasury.
The following resolution was submitted by R. W. John L. Megquier, viz:
Resolved, That Section third, Chapter first of the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge be amended, by striking out in the first line of said section the words "regular meetings," and inserting the words "Annual Communications"; also, by striking out the third line of said section, as printed, and inserting in lieu thereof the words " Thursday of January."
The foregoing resolution was read, and committed to R. W. John L. Megquier, George L. Darling and Robert R. Kendall; which committee unanimously recommended the adoption of said resolution.
Ordered, That the farther consideration of the subject be postponed to the next Annual Communication, and that the same be printed and forwarded to the several subordinate lodges for their consideration.
The Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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