GMGridley

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JEREMY GRIDLEY 1701-1767

JeremyGridley.JPG

Grand Master, St. John's Grand Lodge, 1755-1767.

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page I-117:

BOSTON,- September 14th 1767.

On Thursday Evening last at 11 o'Clock, departed this Life, the Right Worshipful Jeremy Gridley Esqr. Grand Master of Masons, over all North America, Attorney General for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, A Member of the Great and General Court of said Province, and a Justice throughout the Same, Colonel of the first Regiment of Militia, and President of the Marine Society, &c.

His Funeral was Attended on Saturday last, with the Respect due to his Memory, by the Members of his Majesty's Council, and the Judges of the Superiour Court in Town, the Gentlemen of the Bar, the Brethren of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, the Officers of his Regiment, the Members of the Marine Society and a great Number of the Gentlemen of the Town.

Strength of Understanding, Clearness of Apprehension, and Solidity of Judgment, were cultivated in him by a liberal Education, and close thinking: His extensive Acquaintance with Classical and almost every other part of Literature, gave him the first Rank among Men of Learning: His thorough Knowledge of the Civil and Common La'w, which he had studied as a Science, founded in the Principles of Government, and the Nature of Man, justly placed him at the Head of his Profession : His tender Feelings relative to his natural & civil Ties: his exquisite Sensibility, and generous Effusion of Soul for his Friend, were Proofs that his Heart was as good as his Head was sound; and well qualified him to preside over that antient Society whose Benevolent Constitutions do Honor to Mankind. He sustained the painful Attacks of Death with a Philosophical Calmness and Fortitude, that resulted from the steady Principles of his Religion. He Died in the 62d Year of his Age.

Written Extempore, on the Death of the late JEREMY GRIDLEY, Esqr. Barrister a't Law.

Of Parts and Learning, Wit and Worth possess'd,
GRIDLEY shone forth conspicuous o'er the rest:
In native Pow'rs robust, and srait with Fame,
The Genius brighten'd, and the Spark took Flame;
Nature and Science wove the laurel Crown,
Ambitious each, alike confer'd Renown.

High in the Dignity and Strength of Thought,
The Maze of Knowledge sedulous he sought,
With Mind superiour studied and retain'd,
And LIFE and PROPERTY by Law sustain'd.

Generous and free, his lib'ral Hand he spread,
Th' Oppres'd reliev'd, and for the Needy plead;
Awake to Friendship, with the Ties of Blood,
His Heart expanded, and his Soul o'erflow'd.

Social in Converse, in the Senate brave,
Gay e'en with Dignity, with Wisdom grave;
Long to his Country and to Courts endear'd,
The JUDGES honor'd and the BAR rever'd.

Rest, peaceful Shade! innoxious as thy Walk,
May Slander babble, and may Censure talk,
Ne'er on thy Mem'ry ENVY cast a Blot,
But human Frailties in thy Worth forgot.

An account of the funeral ceremonies for Grand Master Gridley begins on Page I-118.


Distinguished Brothers