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== PETER GRINNELL 1767-1836 ==

''Grand Master 1827-1828''

=== BIOGRAPHY ===

''From '''History of Freemasonry in Rhode Island''', 1895, Page 296:''

Peter Grinnell, a prominent citizen of Providence, was born in the year 1764. Of his early life but little information is available for the purposes of this paper. His boyhood was' passed while the stirring events of the Revolutionary epoch were taking place. He was favored with a pleasant home and many of the helps to a virtuous and well ordered life.
He learned the trade of a painter, and was engaged for a number of years in carrying on the painting business, in Providence, under the firm name of Grinnell & Taylor. Afterwards the business was mainly confined to dealing in hardware, paints and oils. At a still later period the firm was changed to Peter Grinnell & Son, and under this name the business continued by the sons of the subject of this sketch until a comparatively recent date.

Peter Grinnell may be regarded as a rich man for the times when he lived. He built a substantial residence, the second house west of the Arcade, on Westminster Street, in Providence, about the year 1798, and was accustomed to exercise a gracious hospitality in his spacious and pleasant home. He maintained a leading social position in the town of Providence. He was a thoroughly good man, exemplary in his conduct, large hearted, fair minded, and just in all his dealings.
He entered the Masonic Fraternity soon after attaining his majority, joining [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=RIStJohn1 St. John's] Lodge in Providence, from which he dimitted to aid in the establishment of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=RIMtVernon4 Mt. Vernon Lodge], Providence, Chartered June 24, 1799. He was one of the twelve founders of that body. He was Wor. Master of the Lodge for two years—1812-13—and for many years was active and helpful in promoting its interests. The records of Mt. Vernon Lodge show that he was frequently appointed to serve on important Committees, and that for a long time he acted as one of the auditors to pass upon the annual accounts presented by the Secretary and Treasurer of the Lodge.

Peter Grinnell made his influence felt in the Grand Lodge of the jurisdiction, with whose activities he became connected when he was somewhat advanced in years. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1821, and  held that office for two years ; he was elected Senior Grand Warden in 1823, serving as such for two years. He was Deputy Grand Master in 1825-6, and was elected Grand Master of Masons in Rhode Island in June, 1827. He held the highest office for two years, during which he displayed such qualities of mind and heart as gave him increased favor with his Masonic brethren.

He died September 13, 1836, having rounded out an active and useful life of more than three score and ten years. He left a good name and a good record. He is entitled to grateful and honored remembrance by Rhode Island Craftsmen, because of what he was in character and life, and for his stedfast efforts to promote the prosperity of the Masonic Institution.

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[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=RhodeIslandPeople Rhode Island People]