| History of the Grand Chapter Exemplification Degree Team | ||
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following are the minutes from the Grand Chapter Convocation at which the
Grand Chapter Exemplification Degree Team was established. |
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The Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts The Inaugural Grand Chapter Degree Exemplification Team December 11, 1849 ORGANIZATION BY CAPITULAR DEGREE MARK MASTER MASON DEGREE Stephen Lovell ................ Right
Worshipful Master PAST MASTER DEGREE Stephen Lovell ................ Right
Worshipful Master MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE Stephen Lovell ................ Right
Worshipful Master ROYAL ARCH DEGREE Stephen Lovell ................ Excellent
High Priest The Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts Biographies of the 19 Companions Appointed to the Inaugural Grand Chapter Degree Exemplification Team December 11, 1849 Presiding Most Excellent Grand High Priest The Presiding M.E. Grand High Priest, M.E. Benjamin Huntoon, exemplified Worshipful Senior Warden for the Mark Master Mason & Past Master Degrees. Presiding Grand Chapter Officers The following seven (7) Companions were currently serving the M.E. Grand Chapter in their respective offices at the time of this particular Exemplification of the Work:
New Grand Lecturer Appointed As a result of the efforts of M.E. Stephen Lovell in co-ordinating this Exemplification, the M.E. Grand High Priest, M.E. Benjamin Huntoon, appointed M.E. Lovell as R.E. Grand Lecturer. Contributions to Grand Chapter Three (3) of the Original 18 Companions appointed to the Grand Chapter Degree Exemplification Team have presided over the M..E. Grand Royal Arch Chapter as M.E. Grand High Priest: M.E. John B. Hammatt (1840); M.E. Benjamin Huntoon (1849 - `51); and M.E. Stephen Lovell (1851 - `4). Four (4) of these Companions has served as R.E. Deputy Grand High Priest: M.E. Benjamin Huntoon (1826 - `9); M.E. John B. Hammatt (1837 - `40); R.E. John Kettell Hall (1863); and M.E. Stephen Lovell (1850 - `1). Three (3) of these Companions has served as R.E. Grand King: R.E. William Eaton (1848); R.E. Lucien B. Keith (1849); and R.E. Samuel Millard (1850 - `1). Four (4) of these Companions has served as R.E. Grand Scribe: R.E. Robert Keith (1841 - `3); R.E. Lucien B. Keith (1848); R.E. Samuel Millard (1849); and R.E. Jonas A. Marshall (1852). One (1) of these Companions has served as R.E. Grand Treasurer: R.E. John Hews. One (1) of these Companions has served as R.E. Grand Secretary: R.E. Hugh H. Tuttle. Three (3) of these Companions have served as R.E. Grand Lecturer: R.E. Robert Keith; M.E. Stephen Lovell; and R.E. Charles Bates. One (1) of these Companions has served as R.E. Grand Marshal, which preceded R.E. Grand Captain-of-the-Host: R.E. Amos Bates (who served in BOTH capacities). Three (3) of these Companions have served as R.E. Grand Captain-of-the-Host, which succeeded the position of Grand Marshal: R.E. Amos Bates (who served in BOTH capacities); R.E. Charles Bates; and R.E. Samuel W. Gleason (PRO-TEMPORE). One (1) of these Companions has served as E. Grand Principal Sojourner: E. Charles B. Rogers. Three (3) of these Companions have served as E. Grand Royal Arch Captain: R.E. Robert Keith; R.E. Lucien B. Keith; and E. Samuel W. Gleason. One (1) of these Companions has served as E. Grand Steward: R.E. John Kettell Hall. 33rd Degree Mason One (1) of these Companions had been Crowned with the Honorary 33o Degree of the Scottish Rite: R.E. John Kettell Hall. Biographical Sketches Edwin Barnes Amos Bates served as Grand Marshal, PRO-TEMPORE,, Grand Marshal, and Grand Captain-of-the-Host. Charles Bates served as Grand Lecturer and Grand Captain-of-the-Host. David Blaney served as the first Exemplar of the Candidate. He was identified in the Proceedings as "Brother David Blaney of Marblehead" on page 591. R.E. William Eaton E. Samuel W. Gleason would serve as the first E. High Priest, Under Dispensation, of St. John's Chapter in East Boston, which was the second Chapter so named in Massachusetts, and was able to be so designated when the initial St. John's Chapter in Groton forfeited its Charter as a result of the Anti-Masonic Movement of the 1830's, which was an ironic twist of fate for the Most Worshipful Grand Master who had presided at its onset, M.W. and M.E. John Abbot, belonged to the initial St. John's Chapter in Groton and had been asked to preside for a fourth, non-consecutive term as M.W. Grand Master due to the Craft's tremendous faith in his capabilities to preserve the Institution. St. John's Chapter in East Boston would eventually Consolidate with Winthrop Chapter to form John Winthrop Chapter, which would subsequently Consolidate with Somerville Chapter to form the present Somerville-Winthrop Chapter. He also served as Grand Principal Sojourner, PRO-TEMPORE, and as Grand Captain-of-the-Host, PRO-TEMPORE. Asher Green R.E. John Kettell Hall would become prominent in the establishment of Freemasonry in Somerville. He would become a Founder of John Abbot Lodge, A.F. & A.M., the first Constituted Lodge in Somerville. He successfully convinced the other Founding Brethren to name the Lodge in honor of M.W. and M.E. John Abbot, who had gained Admission into the Celestial Lodge Above a few years earlier. M.E. Abbot was called upon to return to preside over the M.W. Grand Lodge for a fourth Term due to the Anti-Masonic Movement. He served as its Worshipful Master after its Constitution by the M.W. Grand Lodge in 1857 - `8. He served as the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master for the Boston Eleventh District. He also successfully convinced the Founding Brethren of the Second Lodge in Somerville, Solely Lodge, to be named in honor of M.W. John Solely. He presided over St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapter. In the Grand Chapter, he served as Grand Steward and would eventually become Deputy Grand High Priest. He presided at the Head of the Lines of Boston Commandery #2, K.T. He presided as Commander of the Valley of Boston Consistory. He was a prolific writer in both verse and prose on Masonic subjects. The M.W. Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library at the M.W. Grand Lodge has at least one book authored by him in its shelves. M.E. John B. Hammatt served as M.E. Grand High Priest. R.E. John Hews served as Grand Treasurer. M.E. Benjamin Huntoon presided as M.E. Grand High Priest immediately after the Inauguration of the Grand Chapter Degree Exemplification Team for he had been elected so to serve later that same Evening. M.E. Huntoon was elected with 18 votes out of 22 cast. He was then elected because M.E. Gilbert Nourse had declined the election as M.E. Grand High Priest that Evening. R.E. Lucien B. Keith served as Grand Scribe, PRO-TEMPORE, and Grand King. R.E. Robert Keith served as Grand Treasurer. M.E. Stephen Lovell would be appointed Grand Lecturer as a result of this Inaugural Exemplification of the Work. He would also be elected M.E. Grand High Priest. R.E. Jona. (?: Jonas) Marshall R.E. Samuel Millard served as Grand Scribe and as Grand King. J. D. Pratt C. (?: Charles) B. Rogers served as Grand Principal Sojourner. R.E. Hugh H. Tuttle served as Grand Secretary. The Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts The 19 Companions Appointed to the Inaugural Grand Chapter Degree Exemplification Team December 11, 1849 Companion (Alphabetically) Position Exemplified Edwin Barnes ................ Master Overseer
(Mark & Past) The Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts STATED MEETING "A Stated Meeting of the M.E. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts, was held at the Masonic Temple, Boston, on Tuesday, the 11th of December, A.D. 1849, R.A.M. 2379. PRESENT:
"Chapters represented, viz:--St. Andrew's, Boston; St. Paul's, Boston; Mount Zion, Stoughton; Thomas, Fitchburg; King Cyrus, Newburyport; Mount Horeb, Lowell. "The Grand Chapter was opened in due form at eleven o'clock, A.M. "The M.E. Grand High Priest introduced the M.E. and Hon. Robert P. Dunlap, General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States to this Grand Chapter. "The Grand High Priest stated that the Grand Chapter had been called at an earlier hour than usual, for the purpose of rehearsing and explaining the work and lectures as adopted by the Convention of Royal Arch Masons lately assembled in this city. "M.E. Comp. Lovell was requested by the M.E. Grand High Priest, to organize a Lodge of Mark Master Masons, for the purpose of exhibiting the work of this degree. The following Companions were selected to fill the various offices for the aforesaid purpose, viz: "The ceremonies of this degree were then exhibited, as agreed upon by the late Convention; Bro. David Blaney of Marblehead, as candidate. After which, the Lodge of Mark Masters was closed. The M.E. Grand High Priest resumed the chair, and at half past 1 P.M. the Grand Chapter adjourned to half past 2 P.M.Stephen Lovell ................ Master AFTERNOON SESSION. "Met pursuant to adjournment. A Lodge of Past Masters was opened; officers the same as in the previous degree, except Bro. Robert Keith as J.W. in place of Bro. Millard. "Having passed through the ceremonies of this degree, the Lodge of Past Masters was closed and a Lodge of Most Excellent Masters opened. Stephen Lovell ................ Master "After exemplifying the work of this degree, the Lodge of Most Excellent Masters was closed, in due form at a quarter before 5 o'clock. "The M.E. High Priest resumed the chair, and the Grand Chapter adjourned to meet again at half past 6 P.M. EVENING SESSION. "The Grand Chapter met pursuant to the adjournment aforesaid. At the request of the M.E. High Priest, a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was organized under the direction of Comp. Lovell, for the purpose of exhibiting the work on the seventh degree, as follows, viz: Stephen Lovell ................ High Priest "After passing through the ceremonies of this degree, the Chapter was closed without form, and the M.E. Grand High Priest resumed the chair. "On motion of M.E. J. B. Hammatt, it was Voted unanimously, That the work and lectures agreed upon and adopted by the Convention of Royal Arch Masons, lately assembled in this city, and this day exhibited, be adopted and practiced by all the Chapters under the jurisdiction of this Grand Chapter."
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Copyright © 2006 Grand Royal
Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 09, 2006.