ANNUAL COMMUNICATION 1836.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Stevens's Hall in Augusta, on Thursday, the 21st day of January, A. D. 1836.
Present—M. W. REUEL WASHBURN, G. Master.
R. W. ABNER B. THOMPSON, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, J. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. JONATHAN SMITH, G. Treasurer, p. t.
R. W. WILLIAM PARTRIDGE, G Marshal, p. t.
R. W. THOMAS W. SMITH, S. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NATHANIEL STEVENS, J. G. Deacon, p. t.
R. W. DAVID NEAL, S. G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. THOMAS GILPATRICK Jr., J. G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. EBENEZER WHITE, Grand Tyler.
Lodges represented:
| Ancient Land Mark, | by | Jonathan Smith. |
| Harmony, | by | Josiah Pierce. |
| Hermon, | by | Thomas Gilpatrick, Jr. |
| Rural, | by | Daniel Ormsby. |
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
Proceedings of the last meeting were read.
The following report was submitted, read, and accepted, viz:
The Committee on Finance, having attended to the duty assigned them so far as to examine the Report of the Treasurer, ask leave to report as follows:
| There have been received during the past year, the following sums, viz: | |
| For dividends on Bank Stock, | $255.00 |
| For Premium, | 30.00 |
| On notes, | 71.55 |
| Donation to widow Gilman, not paid, | 7.79 |
| Amounting to the sum of | $364.34 |
| And that he has paid during the same time the following sums, viz : | |
| To J. C. Humphreys, D. D. G. M. of the 1st M.D. | $14.44 |
| To David Shepherd, D. D. G. M. of the 7th M.D. | 1.00 |
| For postage bill up to Jan. 1, 1836, | 2.55 |
| For printing bill, | 20.00 |
| For services of Secretary, | 30.00 |
| For services of Treasurer, | 20.00 |
| For Luther Severance's bill, | 1.00 |
| Making in the whole the sum of | $88.99 |
The Committee find a balance of two hundred seventy-five dollars and thirty-five cents, which can be applied to objects of charity.
THOMAS W. SMITH,
A. B. THOMPSON,
Committee on Finance
Grand Lodge, January 21, 1836.
Proceeded to the choice of officers.
R. W. William Partridge, Nathaniel Stevens 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 unanimous election of the following Brethren, viz:
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 G. Warden.
R. W. BENJAMIN DAVIS, of Augusta, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. PHILIP C. JOHNSON, of Augusta, Rec. Grand Secretary.
R. W. William Partridge, Nathaniel Stevens, Joseph M. Gerrish and Asaph R. Nichols were chosen Trustees of the Charity Fund.
R. W. Thomas W. Smith, Abner B. Thompson and Eben Fuller were chosen a Committee on Finance.
R. W. Joseph M. Gerrish and Abner B. Thompson were chosen a Committee on Foreign Correspondence.
A communication from Solar Lodge was received and referred to Bro's Amos Nourse, Abner B. Thompson and Asaph R. Nichols, with instructions to report at the next annual meeting of the Grand Lodge.
Voted, That this Grand Lodge now adjourn, to meet at the dwelling-house of Bro. Benjamin Davis, at half past six o'clock to-morrow evening.
The Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form.
Attest, PHILIP C. JOHNSON, Rec. G. Secretary.
Augusta, Jan. 22, 1836.
The Grand Lodge met at the dwelling-house of Bro. Benjamin Davis, agreeably to adjournment.
Present—M. W. REUEL WASHBURN, Grand Master.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, S. G. Warden, p. t.
R. W. ABNER B. THOMPSON, J. G. Warden.
R. W. BENJAMIN DAVIS, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. JAMES L. CHILD, G. Marshal.
R. W. THOMAS W. SMITH, S. G. Deacon.
R. W. WILLIAM PARTRIDGE, J. G. Deacon.
R. W. DANIEL ORMSBY, Grand Tyler.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence presented the following report:
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence, having examined the papers and documents submitted to them, find that they consist of the Journals of proceedings, By-Laws, Addresses and Letters of the Grand Lodges of the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky and South Carolina, and also of the Grand Chapters of Connecticut, Ohio and Virginia; and although there appears to be much useful and interesting matter contained in several of them, your Committee have seen nothing that requires the particular action of this Grand Lodge,
excepting that of directing the Secretary to reciprocate their respective civilities on the part of the Grand Lodge.
All which is respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH M. GERRISH,
Jan. 22, 1836. A.B. THOMPSON,
Committee
Which report on being read was accepted.
Voted, That Bro's Nathaniel Coffin, Zina Hyde and David C. Magoun, to whom was committed a communication from the Trustees of the Kennebec Lodge, at the last Annual Meeting, be requested to report on the same at the next Annual Communication.
Report of Bro. Joseph M. Gerrish, District Deputy Grand Master of the First District, was received, which on being read was accepted, and together with the circular and accompanying papers, ordered to be placed on file.
Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, together with Abner B. Thompson, Thomas W. Smith and James L. Child, be a Committee to dispose of the Bank Stock, or such part of it as they may deem expedient, now owned by the Grand Lodge of Maine, and invest the amount received therefor in Stock of other Banks, which in their opinion may be equally safe and more productive; and that the Treasurer be authorized to transfer any stock which said Committee may so dispose of. No sale of stock in any case to be made for less than its par value.
A communication from the Master of Rural Lodge was received, surrendering the charter and records of their lodge; which was read, and the charter and records were accepted, and the communication ordered to be placed on file.
A communication was received from Bro. Samuel Fessenden, requesting that the whole or a part of the amount due on a demand against Bro. Oliver Griswold, deceased, on which himself and Thomas A. Deblois were sureties, might be remitted. Whereupon it was
Voted, That the amount of interest now due and which may accrue until the expiration of six months from this date, be remitted for the benefit of the widow of the said deceased, on condition that the principal be paid within that time, and if it be not so paid, at the expiration of the six months, the Treasurer is hereby requested to collect principal and interest.
Ordered, That the Grand Treasurer give notice to all debtors to the Grand Lodge that unless their demands are paid on or before the twenty-second day
of July next, they will be left with an attorney for collection, and the Grand Treasurer is hereby requested to leave all such demands as remain unpaid at the time above specified, with an attorney accordingly, and authorized to invest the principal of all sums collected by him in Bank Stock.
Ordered, That the several District Deputy Grand Masters be authorized and requested to receive of such subordinate lodges within their respective districts as have become inoperative, or indisposed to continue their masonic labors, the Charters, Books, Papers, Regalia, &c. of said lodges, giving them receipts therefor, and hand them over to the Grand Treasurer, that they may be deposited in the archives of the Grand Lodge, in trust for the benefit of said subordinate lodges; to be returned to them again whenever thereto required; or the papers may be directly handed over by the officers of the subordinate lodges to the Grand Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor, instead of the District Deputy Grand Master's.
Resolved, That all such subordinate lodges as have property and funds belonging to said lodge, which are of so small an amount as not to excite a sufficient interest in the members of the lodge to which they belong, to take care of and apply them, or the interest, to legitimate masonic purposes, for which they were created—or do not wish to have the trouble and responsibility of managing them among themselves, be and are hereby requested to place them in the hands and under the government of the Grand Lodge, the interest of which, arising from said funds, to be placed in the hands of a Board of Trustees, to be appointed by said subordinate lodge, to be by them distributed among such objects of charity as said Board or lodge may direct. And that the several District Deputy Grand Masters be authorized to receive said property and funds with the evidence thereof, and transmit them to the Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, to be united with and disposed of in like manner as the funds of the Grand Lodge—and the interest applied as above directed until such subordinate lodge shall call for the same, and then the amount to be refunded, provided, however, that any of the subordinate lodges, or their officers, may, if they choose, hand over the funds directly to the Grand Treasurer, and take his receipt therefor, instead of that of the District Deputy Grand Master.
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. SAMUEL JOHNSON, of Hallowell, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. FREEMAN PARKER, of Wiscasset, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. MOSES SPRINGER, of Gardiner, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. WILLIAM TRAFTON, of Shapleigh, Senior G. Deacon.
R.W. WILLIAM PARTRIDGE, of Gardiner, Junior G. Deacon.
R.W. NATHANIEL STEVENS, of Hallowell, Grand Steward.
R.W. MOSES SAFFORD, Jr., of Augusta, 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, Grand Sword Bearer.
R.W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, of Portland, Grand Pursuivant.
R.W. FREDERICK WINGATE, of Augusta, Grand Tyler.
The foregoing officers were duly installed by the M. W. Grand Master, either by themselves or proxies.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
First District—R. W. Josiah Pierce, of Gorham.
Second District—R. W. Cornelius Holland, of Canton.
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. George Thatcher, of Saco.
Ordered, That the Recording Grand Secretary be requested to procure the printing of the usual number of copies of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge, and that one copy be forwarded to each subordinate lodge, to each of the officers of the Grand Lodge, to each of the District Deputy Grand Masters, and to all Masonic bodies which are in correspondence with this Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form.
Attest, PHILIP C. JOHNSON, 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, Junior Grand Warden, ex-officio.
R.W. Abner B. Thompson, Senior Grand Warden, ex-officio.
R.W. Philip C. Johnson, Recording Grand Secretary, ex-officio.
R.W. Amos Nourse.
R.W. James L. Child.
R.W. William Partridge.
R.W. Nathaniel Stevens.
R.W. Joseph M. Gerrish.
R.W. Asaph R. Nichols.
REPORTS OF DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
FIRST DISTRICT.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Maine.
The undersigned having been appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the First Masonic District for the year 1835, having accepted the appointment, and performed some of its duties, asks leave respectfully to state, that in conformity with some of the requisitions of said commission, and in accordance with recent usages adopted by this Grand Lodge, instead of convening the several lodges and visiting them personally in an official capacity, he addressed a circular to each and every lodge in said District, therein respectfully requesting them to cause the annual returns of their respective lodges to be made to the 1st of last September, and forward them to me together with the dues to the Grand Lodge, a copy of which circular is hereto subjoined. But although this reasonable request was at first entirely neglected, and by all the lodges delayed beyond the period therein fixed to make their returns, yet, by second and third applications by writing and personal calls, I have at length succeeded in obtaining the returns of all the lodges within the district for the year ending September 1, 1835, excepting that of Cumberland Lodge in New Gloucester, from whom I have received no communication.
I find all the lodges in the district without exception inactive and inoperative as to any work, their members dispirited, and with some few honorable exceptions indisposed to masonic duties. Some of the lodges which hold funds to a considerable amount, are not able to rally their members so as even to elect their officers. The two lodges in Portland have funds to the amount of $2000 each, but decline the payment of their dues to the Grand Lodge: and the reason they give is simply, that they cannot collect it of their members, and if paid they must take it from their Charity Fund; and they say that the Grand Lodge may as well pay their own expenses from their own funds as from the funds of the subordinate lodges. There are others, viz:
Casco and Freeport Lodges, that have no available fund, and cannot as some of the members say by any effort whatever get their members together to choose officers, much less to collect the tax required of them by the Grand Lodge. Both of these lodges have in contemplation the surrendering of their charters; and the former, by some of their members, has expressed itself to that effect on the back of their annual returns for the last year. I also observe by a letter on file that Cumberland Lodge wishes to do the same.
Harmony Lodge, at Gorham, has a small fund of about $400; have recently had a meeting, chosen officers, and agreed to hold on; have made their returns and paid their dues to me for the last two years, but expressed a wish and expectancy that the Grand Lodge would remit the amount paid if the other lodges did not meet the requirements of the Grand, Lodge in this particular, that they may stand on an equal footing with the other lodges under this jurisdiction. The amount they have paid is
| For the year 1834, | $2.37 1/2 |
| For the year 1835, | 2.62 1/2 |
| $5.00 |
United Lodge made their returns to me for the year 1835, without any comments, and paid their dues, viz: $1.50, making in the whole I have received six dollars fifty cents.
Jan. 22, 1836. J. M. GERRISH, D. D. G. M. 1st M. D.
FOURTH DISTRICT.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
Immediately on receiving a commission as D. D. G. M. for the 4th Masonic District, I addressed a communication to each of the lodges in this district, requesting a return &c. to be made to me previous to the 1st of January. I have received answers from only two, which I inclose. I also inclose a petition from Solar Lodge to the Grand Lodge, to accept the charter of the same. It is proper to state, that since the resolution appended to the petition, the lodge voted to distribute the funds belonging to the same, among the members, and that each member so receiving his proportion, be directed to bestow the same in charity, for the relief of the poor and needy, according to the principles of Freemasonry. The funds were accordingly distributed, agreeably to the vote.
Brother Hyde informs me that he sent a list of names, (of widows,) who have formerly received a portion of the charity fund. I have none to add. I regret that it is out of my power to attend the Grand Lodge. Fraternally yours,
Bath, January 20, 1836. THOS. EATON, D. D. G. M. 4th M. D.
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