ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. 1835.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Stevens's Hall in Augusta, on Thursday the 15th day of January, A. D. 1835.
Present—R. W. REUEL WASHBURN, Grand Master, p. t.
R. W. ZINA HYDE, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. ABNER B. THOMPSON, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. BENJAMIN DAVIS, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. ASAPH R. NICHOLS, Rec. G. Secretary.
R. W. AMOS H. HODGMAN, Grand Marshal, p. t.
R. W. THOMAS W. SMITH, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. MOSES SAFFORD, Jr., J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM PARTRIDGE, S. G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM TRAFTON, J. G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. FREDERICK WINGATE, Grand Tyler.
Lodges represented:
| Ancient Land Mark, | by | Jonathan Smith. |
| Solar, | by | Zina Hyde. |
| St. George, | by | Amos H. Hodgman. |
| Orient, | by | J. Miller. |
| Fraternal, | by | William Trafton. |
| Hermon, | by | William Partridge. |
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
Proceedings of last meeting were read by the Recording Grand Secretary.
The following report was presented:
The Committee on Finance, having attended to the duties assigned them go far as to examine the Report of the Treasurer, ask leave to report as follows :
There have been paid out by the Treasurer the following sums, viz:
| To Bro. David Shepherd, D. D. G. M. of the 7th M. D., | 11.50 | |
| To Stage driver for bringing Account Books from Portland | .50 | |
| Printing bill to I. Berry & Co., | 14.29 | |
| To Joseph Chandler, for postage, | 2.79 | |
| To A. R. Nichols, for services as Secretary, | 30.00 | |
| To Treasurer for his services, | 20.00 | |
| To A. R. Nichols for stationery, | .76 | |
| To Frederick Wingate, Tyler,, | 2.00 | |
| To N. Stevens, sleigh hire, | 1.50 | |
| $83.33 | ||
| And there has been received by the Treasurer: | ||
| From Stephen Emery, D. D. G. M. of the 2d M. D., | 8.00 | |
| From D. Shepherd, D. D. G. M. of the 7th M.D. | 16.00 | |
| From Lincoln Lodge by the hand of the Grand Master, | 3.12-1/2 | 27.12 1/2 |
| Dividends on Bank Stock, | 185.00 | |
| Interest on Notes, | 48.00 | 233.00 |
| 260.12 1/2 | ||
| Should the Grand Lodge borrow of the Charity Fund the sum of $56.20 1/2 which your Committee recommend, there will remain applicable to charitable distributing, the sum of $176.79 | 56.20 1/2 | |
| 176.79 1/2 |
All which is respectfully submitted,
THOMAS W. SMITH,
ZINA HYDE,
Committee.
Augusta, Jan. 15, 1835.
Which report on being read was accepted.
Voted, To borrow of the Charity Fund the sum of $56.20-1/2 as recommended by Committee on Finance.
Proceeded to the choice of officers.
R. W. Amos H. Hodgman, Zina Hyde and Jonathan Smith were chosen a Committee to receive, sort and count the votes for Grand Officers to be elected by ballot, who having attended to the duty assigned them, reported the election of the following Brethren:
M. W. REUEL WASHBURN, of Livermore, Grand Master.
R. W. JOEL MILLER, of Thomaston, Senior Grand Warden.
R. W. ABNER B. THOMPSON, of Brunswick, Junior Grand Warden.
R. W. BENJAMIN DAVIS, of Augusta, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. ASAPH R. NICHOLS, of Augusta, Rec. Grand Secretary.
R. W. Bro's Thomas W. Smith, Abner B. Thompson and Eben Fuller were chosen a Committee on Finance.
R. W. Bro's Zina Hyde and Abner B. Thompson were chosen a Committee on Foreign Correspondence.
Reports from the District Deputy Grand Masters of the First, Fourth and Seventh Districts were read, accepted and ordered on file.
Report of the Committee to procure a suitable room for the future meetings of the Grand Lodge, was read, accepted and ordered on file, to wit:
The Committee to whom was referred at the last Annual Communication, the subject of procuring a suitable room for the future meeting of the Grand Lodge, ask leave to report: That they have not yet been able to obtain a suitable place, but think before another Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, they will be able to procure a suitable room.
All which is respectfully submitted,
ASAPH R, NICHOLS,
BENJAMIN DAVIS,
Committee.
January 15, 1835.
Voted, To accept the alterations in the By-Laws, as proposed at the last Annual Communication, in Sec. 1, Chap. 5, Sec. 5, Chap. 5, and Sec. 3, Chap. 5, the same having been communicated to all the lodges in this State.
Voted, That when this Grand Lodge adjourn it adjourn till to-morrow evening.
The Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form.
Attest, ASAPH R. NICHOLS, G. Secretary.
Stevens's Hall, Augusta, Jan. 16, 1835.
The Grand Lodge met agreeably to adjournment.
Present—M. W. Reuel Washburn, Grand Master; other officers as yesterday.
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
The proceedings of the last evening meeting were read by the Recording Grand Secretary.
Voted, and chose by ballot, James L. Child, a Trustee of the Charity Fund in place of Benjamin Davis, whose term of office had expired.
The following report was submitted :
The Committee appointed to examine the Foreign Correspondence, having attended to that service, beg leave to report :
That they have examined the official communications received since the last meeting of this Grand Lodge, which consist of abstracts of the proceedings of the Grand Lodges of Kentucky, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Vermont for the year 1834, and also from the Grand Chapter of New Hampshire for the same year. And finding nothing in either of these documents which in the opinion of your Committee requires the action of this Grand Lodge, they have only to recommend that they be deposited in the archives of the same, and that the Secretary be instructed to forward the doings of this Grand Lodge to each of the Grand Lodges in the United States and such other Masonic Bodies as have heretofore extended to it similar civilities. All which is respectfully submitted,
ZINA HYDE,
A. B. THOMPSON,
Committee.
Augusta, Jan. 16, 1835.
Which report on being read was accepted.
The Grand Master was then pleased to make the following appointments, which were announced by the Grand Marshal, viz:
R.W. DAVID C. MAGOUN, of Bath, Deputy Grand Master.
R.W. ISAAC G. REED, of Waldoborough, Cor. Grand Secretary.
R.W. AMOS H. HODGMAN, of Warren, 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, of Gardiner,Grand Chaplain.
R.W. WILLIAM TRAFTON, of Shapleigh, S. G. Deacon.
R.W. WILLIAM PARTRIDGE, of Gardiner, J. G. Deacon.
R.W. NATHANIEL STEVENS, of Hallowell, Grand Steward.
R.W. MOSES SAFFORD, Jr., of do. Grand Steward.
R.W. WILLIAM L. WHEELER, of Augusta, Grand Steward.
R.W. THOMAS GILPATRICK, Jr. of Gardiner, Grand Steward.
R.W. OLIVER GERRISH, of Portland, G. Sword Bearer.
R.W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, of Portland, G. Pursuivant.
R.W. JAVAN KNAPP, of Gardiner, G. Pursuivant.
R.W. FREDERICK WINGATE, of Augusta, Grand Tyler.
The foregoing officers, except those re-appointed, were duly installed by the M. W. Grand Master, either by themselves or proxies.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
First District—R. W. Joseph M. Gerrish, of Gorham.
Second District—R. W. Stephen Emery, of Paris.
Third District—R. W. Thomas W. Smith, of Augusta.
Fourth District—R. W. Thomas Eaton, of Bath.
Fifth District.—R. W. Hezekiah Williams, of Castine.
Sixth District—R. W. Oliver N. Allen, of Lubec.
Seventh District—R. W. David Shepherd, of Sebec.
Eighth District—R. W. Samuel Johnson, of Saco.
The following report was presented:
The Committee to which was referred the subject of inquiry relative to the acceptance of the charter of the Kennebec Lodge,1 have made due inquiries why
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1The papers laid before the Grand Lodge, in 1831, tendering the surrender of the Charter of Kennebec Lodge, are as follows:
At a meeting of the members of Kennebec Lodge held at Masons' Hall in Hallowell, July 18, 5831, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Masonry in its principles and purity is an institution of benevolence and charity, and ought to be cherished and sustained, only so long as it is beneficial to society, by conducing to these elevated and benignant purposes.
And, Whereas, the members of this lodge are reluctantly convinced that from a combination of extraordinary circumstances, the period has arrived when it no longer subserves these beneficent objects, but its mere existence is made the occasion of angry excitement and unmerited obloquy; and it is believed that a surrender of its Charter will involve no dereliction of moral or masonic principles, but on the contrary is enjoined by both, as the means of preventing discord and contention, and of promoting the true objects and paramount design of the institution, the peace, harmony and happiness of the whole community. Therefore,
Resolved, That the Secretary of Kennebec Lodge be and he hereby is authorized and instructed in the name of the lodge to surrender its charter unconditionally to the Grand Lodge of Maine, at its Quarterly Communication, to be held on Thursday, the twenty-first of July instant.
Resolved, That by the foregoing act, no disrespect is intended to the masonic institution, whose principles still command, as they have ever received, our entire approbation.
Copy of the record, Attest, W'M MORSE, Jr., Secretary
At a special meeting of Kennebec Lodge at Masons' Hall, Hallowell, July 18, 1881,
Voted, That W'm Morse, Jr., and Samuel K. Gilman, be requested to attend the next Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine, as delegates of Kennebec Lodge.
Copy of record, Attest, W'M MORSE, JR., Secretary.
Hallowell, July 20, 1831.
Webmaster note: The footnote starts on page 261 and continues on page 262 in the printed version. We have put all the footnote together for easier reading on the web.
the Trustees of said lodge have not complied with the requisitions of the Grand Lodge, and report: That they have received in answer thereto from said Trustees the annexed statements, which are herewith submitted.
ASAPH R. NICHOLS,
BENJ. DAVIS,
Committee,
January 16, 1835.
The statements referred to are as follows:
The Committee to whom was referred the doings of the Grand Lodge of Maine in 1833 and 1834, in regard to the acceptance of the charter of Kennebec Lodge, have had the same under consideration, and report :
That on examination they find nothing in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge which calls for the action, or specially invites the attention of the Trustees, except that part which seems to contemplate that said Trustees may and ought to absolve themselves from the accountability under which they now stand to the Trustees of Hallowell Academy, and assume in lieu thereof, a similar accountability to the Grand Lodge of Maine. And in reference to this point, your Committee would remark that, after much reflection, they are not able to perceive how it is or can be competent for the "Trustees of the Charity Fund of Kennebec Lodge," having accepted the trust reposed in them upon certain specified terms and conditions contained in a deed of trust which is matter of record, and which has a legal and binding force upon them according to the precise tenor of it, now to change, by any act of theirs, the conditions of that trust, and' divest themselves of obligations that now rest upon them; and it is respectfully submitted as the decided opinion of this Committee, that the Trustees have no right to inquire into the propriety or impropriety of any conditions annexed to the trust accepted by them. Their inquiry must be, not what these conditions ought to be, but what they are; and to the faithful and exact observance of these they are bound by a legal obligation of which they cannot divest themselves while assuming to act as Trustees. All which is respectfully submitted,
A. NOURSE,
S. G. LADD,
Committee.
The above report having been presented to the Trustees at an adjourned meeting held on Monday evening, December 22, 1834, it was
Voted, That said report be accepted and placed on file, and a copy of the same, certified by the Secretary, be sent to the Committee of the Grand Lodge to whom the subject of the report was referred. A true copy from the record.
Attest, Hallowell, Dec. 22, 1834. CHARLES VAUGHAN, Jr.
Which report on being read was referred with the annexed statements to R. W. Brothers Nathaniel Coffin, Zina Hyde and David C. Magoun.
On motion of R. W. Bro. Hyde,
Ordered, That the Treasurer be instructed to proceed forthwith, as fast as may be, to the collection or renewal, with sufficient sureties, of all notes due to this Grand Lodge.
On motion of R. W. Bro. Hyde,
Resolved, That the several District Deputy Grand Masters be instructed to call on the several lodges in their respective Districts, between the first of September next and the next Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge, either by personal visits, by appointing a proxy to visit in their stead, or by addressing them in writing; and that in so doing they urge the importance of a return being made to them of the state of each lodge, and a payment of the tax of twelve and a half cents on each member as required by the laws of this Grand Lodge. And that he be instructed to recommend to such subordinate lodges as are not in a situation, or do not sufficiently feel the importance of a punctual observance of the laws of the institution to fulfill these requirements, the resignation of their charters to the hands of the Grand Lodge and the appointment of Trustees to preserve and dispose of the property of such lodge, in accordance with masonic usage.
Which resolve on being read was adopted.
On motion of R. W. Bro. Davis,
Ordered, That the Recording Grand Secretary procure to be printed the usual number of copies of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form.
Attest, ASAPH R. NICHOLS, Rec. G. Secretary.
The following Brethren compose the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund:
M. W. Reuel Washburn, Grand Master, ex-officio.
R. W. David C. Magoun, Deputy Grand Master, ex-officio.
R. W. Joel Miller, Senior Grand Warden, ex-officio.
R. W. Abner B. Thompson, Junior Grand Warden, ex-officio.
R. W. Asaph B. Nichols, Recording Grand Secretary, ex-officio
R. W. Amos Nourse.
R. W. Joseph M. Gerrish.
R. W. William Partridge.
R. W. Nathaniel Stevens.
R. W. James L. Child.
R. W. Henry W. Fuller.
REPORTS OF DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
FIRST DISTRICT.
To the Most Worshipful, the Grand Lodge of the State of Maine.
I have forwarded blank returns to each of the subordinate lodges within the First Masonic District, and have called personally upon the officers and members of four of the seven lodges during the past year, and have requested returns to be made from them all. I have received returns from only two, containing a list of members, with the remark that no changes have been made or work done since the last previous returns. I have collected no moneys belonging to the Grand Lodge.
Respectfully and fraternally your obedient servant,
A. B. THOMPSON, D. D. G. M. 1st M. D.
Brunswick, January 1, 1835.
FOURTH DISTRICT.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
In reporting on the performance of my official duty as D. D. Grand Master of the 4th Masonic District of the State of Maine, I have to state that, to avoid the expense of special visits to all of the lodges in said district, I addressed letters enclosing blanks to, and urging on the officers, the importance
of having returns made in due form and season. To this address I have received the following returns, viz:
From Solar Lodge, in Bath, reporting thirty-eight members, fourteen suspended, one deceased.
Orient Lodge, in Thomaston, reporting five members, two new ones, one deceased.
Union Lodge, in Union, twenty-one members. Which is respectfully submitted,
Bath, Jan. 12,1835. Z. HYDE, D. D. G. M. 4th M. D.
SEVENTH DISTRICT.
To the M. W. Grand Master, Officers and Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
Having delayed to make my return as long as practicable to get it in to the Annual Communication, in hopes to receive the returns from the lodges in this District, I am under the necessity of saying that I have received no response from either, although I wrote to each requesting the returns to be made, and recommended a practicable and convenient mode of doing it for each. Two years ago, at the special request of the Grand Master, I visited each lodge in person, made a settlement, and exhibited to the Grand Lodge the condition of each at that time. Last year, on a tour through the country on other business, I took occasion to call on the officers of each; but not finding them prepared at the time, and it not being convenient for me to tarry, I received an assurance that the returns should be seasonably made, one of which was duly made and forwarded. This year none has yet been made.
The state of Masonry is so low in this region, and the members especially in the north part of the county so scattered, that the lodges have ceased to meet altogether, and it needs some one more energetic than myself to arouse them to any activity. I hope such a one will be appointed at the approaching election. I have paid out for postage on my commission and blanks from the Grand Lodge one dollar; and whether I am entitled to a remuneration unless I collect it from the subordinate lodges, I leave for you to determine. Very respectfully and fraternally,
Sebec, Jan. 12, 1835. DAVID SHEPHERD, D. D. G. M. 7th M. D.
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