ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. 1832.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Augusta, on Thursday, the 19th day of January, A. D. 1832.
Present—M. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, Grand Master.
R. W. EBEN HILTON, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. J. B. CAHOON, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, R. G. Secretary, p. t.
R. W. ROBERT R. KENDALL, Grand Marshal.
R. W. REUEL WASHBURN, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM HASKELL, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH CHANDLER, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. DANUBE WADSWORTH, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. FREDERICK WINGATE, Grand Tyler, p. t.
The following lodges were represented:
Portland, No. 1 Freeport, No. 23 Waterville, No. 33
Lincoln, No. 3 Temple, No. 25 Washington, No. 37
Eastern, No. 7 Northern Star, No. 28 Lafayette, No. 48
United, No. 8 Union, No. 31 Rural, No. 53
Solar, No. 14 Hermon, No. 32 King Hiram, No. 67
A. Land Mark, No. 17
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
The report from the Corresponding Grand Secretary was read and accepted.
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A communication from the District Deputy Grand Master of the Seventh District was read and placed on file.
The proceedings of the last meeting were read by the Recording Grand Secretary, pro tern.
Voted, That the amendment in the constitution as proposed at the last meeting be adopted, and that in future there bo only one meeting of the Grand Lodge annually.
Voted, That R. W. Reuel Washburn, Jonathan Thayer, David C. Magoun, Joseph Chandler and Benjamin Folsom be a Committee to consider whether the interest which accrued from the Charity Fund during the past year can be now appropriated for the relief of such poor and distressed brethren, their widows and orphans, as may be considered worthy of assistance, and report at the adjournment of this meeting.
Proceeded to the choice of officers.
Voted, That B. W. Benjamin Folsom, Benjamin Davis and Jonathan Smith be a Committee to receive, sort and count the votes for Grand Officers to be elected by ballot, who reported the following brethren to be duly elected, viz:
M. W. NATHANIEL COFFIN of Wiscasset, G. Master.
R. W. JOHN L. MEGQUIER of Portland, S. G. Warden.
R. W. DAVID C. MAGOUN of Bath, J. G. Warden.
R. W. ASAPH E. NICHOLS of Augusta, R. G. Secretary.
R. W. JAMES B. CAHOON of Portland, G. Treasurer.
R. W. Henry W. Fuller, Jesse Robinson and Daniel Wadsworth were chosen a Committee on Finance.
M. W. Robert P. Dunlap and R. W. Benjamin Davis were chosen members of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund, to fill the vacancies occasioned by the resignation of Albion K. Parris and Nehemiah Cram.
On motion of Bro. May,
R. W. John L. Megquier, Seth May and David C. Magoun were appointed a Committee to see if a member of a subordinate lodge, once expelled, can be restored.
Voted, That the Recording Grand Secretary be requested to notify the officers elect.
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A motion was made by Bro. May, to remit all dues from subordinate lodges, but the question on so remitting was decided in the negative.
Voted, That when this Grand Lodge adjourn, it adjourn until Thursday evening, February 9, 1832, at 7 o'clock, then to meet at this place.
Adjourned accordingly.
JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Secretary, p. t.
Masons' Hall, Augusta, Feb. 9, 1832.
The Grand Lodge met agreeably to adjournment.
R. W. Benjamin Davis was chosen Grand Secretary pro tempore.
Voted, That this Grand Lodge now adjourn to meet at this place on Thursday, the 16th of February instant, at 7 o'clock P. M.
BENJAMIN DAVIS, G. Secretary, p. t.
Masons' Hall, Augusta, Feb. 16, A. D. 1832.
The Grand Lodge met agreeably to adjournment.
Present—M. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, G. Master.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. AMOS H. HODGMAN, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JONATHAN SMITH, G. Treasurer, p. t.
R. W. ASAPH R. NICHOLS, G. Secretary.
R. W. THOMAS GILPATRICK, JR., S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. THOMAS GILPATRICK, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH CHANDLER, G. Steward.
R. W. WILLIAM PARTRIDGE, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. FREDERICK WINGATE, G. Tyler.
Lodges represented, as on January 19.
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
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The proceedings of the last meeting were read by the Grand Secretary.
The Grand Master elect being present, signified his acceptance of that office, and was duly installed by the M. W. Robert P. Dunlap.
The Grand Master was then pleased to make the following appointments, which were announced by the Grand Marshal, viz:
R. W. AMOS NOURSE, of Hallowell, Deputy Grand Master.
R. W. ISAAC G. REED, of Waldoborough, Cor. Grand Secretary.
R. W. JOSEPH CHANDLER, of Augusta, Grand Marshal.
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL JOHNSON, of Saco, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. FREEMAN PARKER, of Wiscasset, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. MOSES SPRINGER, Jr., of Gardiner, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. REUEL WASHBURN, of Livermore, S. G. Deacon.
R. W. EBEN HILTON, of Wiscasset, J. G. Deacon.
R. W. JESSE ROBINSON, of Augusta, G. Steward.
R. W. RUFUS C. VOSE, of do. G. Steward.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, of Portland, G. Steward.
R. W. AMOS H. HODGMAN, of Warren, G. Steward.
R. W. OLIVER GERRISH, of Portland, G. Sword Bearer.
R. W. WILLIAM PARTRIDGE, of Gardiner, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, of Portland, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. FREDERICK WINGATE, of Augusta, Grand Tyler.
The above named officers, as also the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, were duly installed by the M. W. Grand Master, either by themselves or proxies.
The M. W. Grand Master then ordered the formation of a new Masonic District, to be composed of the several lodges in the County of York, and to be called and known as the Eighth Masonic District.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
First District—R. W. John C. Humphreys, of Brunswick.
Second District—R. W. Stephen Emery, of Paris.
Third District—R. W. Eben Fuller, of Augusta.
Fourth District—R. W. Zina Hyde, of Bath.
Fifth District—R. W. Hezekiah Williams, of Castine.
Sixth District—R. W. Oliver N. Allen, of Lubec.
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Seventh District—R. W. David Shepard, of Sebec.
Eighth District—R. W. Frederick Clark, of Saco.
The Committee on Finance submitted their report, which was accepted and ordered to be placed on file, as follows:
The Committee of Finance, having attended to the duties assigned them so far as to examine the Treasurer's account, ask leave to report as follows, viz:
| There was a balance due the former Grand Treasurer, Joseph M. Gerrish, at the annual settlement in Jan. 1831, the sum of one hundred seventy-eight dollars ninety-eight cents, | $178.98 | |
| And there appears to have been paid by him before he handed over the books to his successor, James B. Cahoon, the following sums, viz: | ||
| To Samuel Stephenson, D. D. G. Master, the sum of | 2.50 | |
| To Samuel Stephenson, D. D. G. Master, the sum of for postage, | .10 | |
| To Hezekiah Williams, D. D. G. Master, the sum of | 2.00 | |
| To Jeremiah Martin, for lights, &c, the sum of | 7.50 | |
| To W'm Lord, Recording Grand Secretary, the sum of | 40.00 | |
| To William Stevens, Tyler, the sum of | 8.00 | |
| To amount allowed Treasurer, | 30.00 | 90.10 |
| $269.08 | ||
| And there was received by the said Gerrish the following sums, viz: | ||
| From Samuel Stephenson D. D. G. Master, | 10.00 | |
| From Hezekiah Williams D. D. G. Master, | 35.75 | |
| From David Shepard D. D. G. Master, | 3.37 | 49.12 |
| $219.96 | ||
| There appears to have been paid by the present Grand Treasurer up to this time, the following sums, viz: | ||
| Shirley & Hyde's bill for printing, | 91.30 | |
| Thomas Todd's bill for printing, | 3.75 | |
| Samuel Stephenson, D. D. G. Master, | 13.00 | |
| W'm Lord, G. Secretary, for postage, &c, | 5.26 | |
| J. Martin, lights, &c, | 6.00 | |
| Hall rent, | 40.00 | |
| D. Shepard, D. D. G. Master, | 14.75 | |
| Israel Waterhouse, transporting furniture, regalia, &c. to Augusta, | 5.00 | 179.06 |
| And it appears that said Cahoon has received up to the present time the following sums, viz: | ||
| From Charles B. Smith, for furniture sold by vote of Grand Lodge, | 8.19 | |
| From D. Shepherd, D. D. G. Master, | 28.75 | 36.94 |
| $142.12 | ||
And there appears now to be due to the Treasurer, James B. Cahoon, the sum of one hundred forty-two dollars and twelve cents.
The amount which appears by this account to be due to the former Treasurer of two hundred nineteen dollars and ninety-six cents was carried to the Charity Fund account and there settled and balanced.
All which is respectfully submitted,
JESSE ROBINSON, per order.
| Statement of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Maine, January 1832, viz | ||
| 10 shares in Bank of Portland, cost, | 1000.00 | |
| 10 shares in Casco Bank, cost, | 1000.00 | |
| 20 shares in Canal Bank, cost, | 2000.00. | |
| $4000.00. | ||
| Sundry promissory notes, viz: | ||
| John L. Megquier and others, | 200.00 | |
| Jonathan Greenleaf and others, | 50.00 | |
| Moses Greenleaf and others, | 150.00 | |
| Thomas Herrick and others, | 100.00 | |
| Stephen Stephenson and others, | 200.00 | |
| Oliver Griswold and others, | 200.00 | |
| William Walker | 10.00 | 910.00 |
| $4,910.00 | ||
| There is due from the Grand Lodge to the Charity Fund for money loaned them by vote of said Grand Lodge,at their annual meeting, January, 1831, to pay the debts due from said Grand Lodge to sundry individuals, and to be reimbursed when in funds, the sum of | 219.96 | |
| $5,129.96 | ||
Interest and dividends received since last Annual Communication, viz
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| Balance in hands of Treasurer on settlement, April 15, 1831, | 58.26 | |
| Interest and dividends received since, | 246.00 | |
| $304.26 | ||
| Should the Grand Lodge pass a vote as of last year to borrow of the Charity Fund to pay its debts, and allowing the same to the Treasurer, Secretary and Tyler, as of last year, which would amount to | 220.12 | |
| $84.14 |
There would be eighty-four dollars only remaining which would be applicable to relief.
| On examination of the Treasurer's books, we find there is due to him a balance on the general account, which is herewith exhibited, the sum of | 142.12 | |
| To pay the Treasurer, Secretary and Tyler of last year, as we have reported, | 78.00 | |
| $220.12 | ||
| The Grand Lodge stands now indebted to the Charity Fund, the sum of | 219.96 | |
| Should another loan be made to pay the debts of 1831, as above stated, viz; | 220.12 | |
| $440.08 |
The Grand Lodge will be indebted to the Charity Fund the sum of four hundred forty dollars and eight cents.
JESSE ROBINSON, per order.
On motion of R. W. Joseph M. Gerrish,
Voted, That the Grand Treasurer be authorized to borrow from the Charity Fund, the sum of two hundred and twenty dollars and twelve cents to pay the debts due from the Grand Lodge.
On motion of John L. Megquier,
Voted, That the sum of eighty-four dollars and fourteen cents be, and the same is hereby appropriated for the purpose of Charity, and that the same be distributed and paid under the direction of the Trustees of the Charity Fund.
The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the subject, whether the interest which accrued from the Charity Fund during the past year, can be now appropriated for the relief of such poor and distressed brethren, their widows and
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orphans, as may be considered worthy of assistance, made a report, which was read and accepted, as follows:
To the M.W.. Grand Master, Officers and Members of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
The Committee to whom was referred the question, whether the interest which accrued from the Charity Fund during the past year can be now appropriated for the relief of such poor and distressed brethren, their widows and orphans, as may be considered worthy of assistance, inasmuch as the Trustees of said fund have not held a meeting for that purpose, it being required by the fifth Section, Chapter 5th of the By-Laws, that " all interest unappropriated at the end of the year, shall be added to the principal," have had that subject under consideration, and ask leave to report, that in their opinion the spirit of masonry requires that there should be an annual distribution of said interest among the indigent brethren of our fraternity, their widows and orphans, provided there be a sufficient number of applicants in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, worthy to receive said charity; and this Attribution should not be prevented by negligence on the part of said Trustees. In fact it is expressly provided in the Section of the By-Laws above referred to, that such appropriation shall be annually made. It is believed by your Committee, that upon a fair construction of the latter clause in said Section, said interest should be added to the principal, when a balance remains, after making just and equitable appropriations among the worthy and indigent brethren, their widows and orphans, who apply for the same, or who are known to said Trustees to be in distressed circumstances and worthy Masonic aid, and not otherwise. But if there could be any doubt upon the subject, it is removed by the fact that this is an adjournment of the Annual Meeting of said Lodge, and consequently a distribution or appropriation may now be made under the direction of the Trustees, without conflicting even with the letter of said provision. All which is respectfully submitted,
February 9, 1882. REUEL WASHBURN, per order.
On motion of R. W. David C. Magoun,
Voted, That the District Deputy Grand Masters be specially requested, after giving seasonable notice of the time, to visit during the year all the lodges within their several Districts, receive their returns, collect the dues of the Grand Lodge, and make report at the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
On motion of R. W. John L. Megquier,
Voted, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be presented to the M. W. Robert P. Dunlap, for the able and faithful manner in which he has performed the duties of the office of Grand Master during the last two years.
On motion of R. W. Reuel Washburn,
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Voted, That R. W. Eleazer Wyer be authorized to procure clothing for the Eighth Masonic District.
The Committee appointed to inquire whether a mason who has been expelled by a subordinate lodge, may be restored, made a report, which was read and accepted, as follows:
The Committee appointed to inquire whether a mason who has been expelled by a subordinate lodge, may be restored, have considered the subject, and report,
That, in their opinion, it is competent for a subordinate lodge to restore an expelled Member of the Fraternity to the rights and privileges of Masonry, upon satisfactory evidence of his reformation.
J. L. MEGQUIER, per order.
Voted, and chose by ballot, R. W. Henry W. Fuller, one of the Trustees of the Charity Fund, instead of R. W. Charles Fox, whose time had expired.
A communication from Kennebec Lodge was read and referred to R. W. Robert P. Dunlap, Charles Fox, Samuel Fessenden, John L. Megquier and Reuel Washburn.
Voted, That the Recording Grand Secretary cause the proceedings of the Grand Lodge to be printed.
The Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form.
Attest, ASAPH R. NICHOLS, G. Secretary.
The following brethren compose the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund :
M. W. Nathaniel Coffin, Grand Master, ex-officio.
R. W. Amos Nourse, Deputy Grand Master, ex-officio.
R. W. John L. Megquier, Senior Grand Warden, ex-officio.
R. W. David C. Magoun, Junior Grand Warden, ex-officio.
R. W. Asaph R. Nichols, Recording Grand Secretary, ex-officio.
R. W. Samuel Fessenden.
R. W. William Swan.
R. W. Daniel Granger.
R. W. Robert P. Dunlap.
R. W. Benjamin Davis.
R. W. Henry W. Fuller.
The List of Lodges is the same as last year. The eighth District comprises Saco, York, Adoniram, Freedom, Buxton, St. John's and Fraternal Lodges, heretofore in the First District.
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