GMGridley

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JEREMY GRIDLEY 1701-1767

JeremyGridley.JPG

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

NOTES

FROM NEW ENGLAND CRAFTSMAN, 1905

From New England Craftsman, Vol. I, No. 2, November 1905, Page 60:

Funeral of Grand Master Jeremy Gridley

Extract from an unpublished Diary of John Rowe, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts from 1768-1787.

(The Jeremy Gridley, whose funeral is mentioned in the following extract, was one of the Provincial Grand Masters who served prior to the formation of an Independant Grand Lodge, March 8, 1777).

12th. Sept. Saturday 1767. Cool & Fair Wind, in the Afternoon I attended the Funeral of Our Right Worshipful Jerry Gridly Esqr. Grand Master, as Deputy Grand Master, the Officers of his Regiment Marched in Order First, then the Brtthren of St. Andrew's Lodge, then the Stewards of the Grand Lodge, then the Brethren Promiscuously two & two, then the Wardens of the Second Lodge, then the Wardens of the First Lodge, then the Wardens of the Masters Lodge, then the three Masters of the three Several Lodges — then the past Grand Officers & the Treasurer, then the Grand Wardens then myself as Deputy Grand Master, then the Tyler with the Grand Masters Jewell on a Black Velvet Cushion — the Corpse — the Bearers were the Lieu't. Governour, Judge Trowbridge, Justice Hubbard, John Erving Sen'r Esqr, James Otis Esqr. & Mr. Samuel Fitch. Then followed the Relations—after them the Lawyers in their Robes — then the Gentlemen of the Town & then a great many Coaches Chariots, & chaises.— Such a multitude of Spectators I never Saw at any time before since I have been in New England.— after his Body was Interr'd wee Return'd in Form to the Town house (from whence his corps was taken from at the Beginning of the Procession,) in the Same Order as wee first Walked.— I do not much approve of Such parade & Show — but as it was his & his Relations desire, I could not well Avoid giving my Consent. I think the Number of the Brethren that Attended was 161. — upon the Whole it was as well Conducted & in As Good Order as the Nature of it would admit.

FROM NEW ENGLAND CRAFTSMAN, 1916

From New England Craftsman, Vol. XI, No. 4, January 1916, Page 129:

The Installation of Grand Master Jeremy Gridley.

There is a satisfaction in knowing that Freemasonry in the early days If its History in America was always treated with a dignity by its supporters that is not surpassed in modern time. This was shown especially on occasions where the public had opportunity to observe its movements. A good illustration is found in the account of the ceremony attending the installation of Grand Master Jeremy Gridley, Esq., October 1, 1755, which we quote:

"At a Grand Lodge held at Concert Hall this day, The Right Worshipful Jeremy Gridley, Esq., appointed Grand Master of Masons in North America, by the Right Worshipful the Marquis Carnarvon, Grand Master of Masons, was installed in that office (at Concert Hall). The three Lodges in this Town and the Master and Wardens of the Portsmouth Lodge in New Hampshire with a great Number of Brothers were present Cloathed with white aprons and Gloves, and after the Instalment, accompanied their Grand Master in Procession to Trinity Church in this order, First Walked the Sword Bearer, carrying a drawn Sword, in one hand and the Book of Constitutions in the other, Next came the Several Lodges according to their Juniority, closed with the Wardens and Master, cloathed with their Jewels, Four Stewards with white wands went before the Grand Treasurer and Secretary cloathed with their Jewels, who were followed by the Past Grand Officers, after these walked the Grand Wardens with their Jewels, and the Present and late Grand Master clothed with their Jewels and Badges, closed the Procession. At Church the Revd Mr Hooper read Prayers, and the Rev.d Mr. Brown Preached an excellent Sermon on the occasion to a Numerous and Polite Audience, after Service the Sword Bearer and Stewards walked before the Grand Master and the Procession was made in a reversed order back to Concert Hall, where an Elegant Dinner was prepared, and the afternoon was Spent in Harmony and Mirth. The whole Ceremony and attendance was with the greatest Decency, and made a Genteel Appearance."

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