GMOliver

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FRANCIS J. OLIVER 1777-1858

GMOliver1915.jpg

  • MM 1800, WM 1806-1808, St. John's (Boston)
  • Senior Grand Steward 1803, 1804
  • Senior Grand Deacon 1808
  • Junior Grand Warden 1809
  • Senior Grand Warden, 1810-1812
  • Deputy Grand Master, 1813-1816
  • Grand Master, 1817-1819

TERM

1817 1818 1819

NOTES

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page VI-185:

"Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to his mercy our late Bro Francis J Oliver, the eldest Past Gd. Master of this G. Lodge — it is hereby —

"Resolved: That in this removal of Past Gd. Master Oliver, to the retributions of the other world this G. Lodge regards his loss as that of one, who in all the relations of life, and more especially as a Master of the oldest Lodge under this jurisdiction, and as Gd. Master of this Lodge, and most truly faithful: presiding with a mingled directness and urbanity, most honorable to himself and most useful to the fraternity, who, although in the providence of God, for a long time withdrawn from active service among us, never lost his interest in our welfare.

"We also recognize with gratitude the fact, that under his mastership, this Gd Lodge was allowed the happiness of laying the corner stone of the Mass. General Hospital, which has done so much to relieve bodily & mental suffering. We also desire most deeply to feel, as one of our oldest members after another is taken from us, the necessity of renewed and vigorous work, that we two may be held not unworthy to follow them through similar courses of duty here, to similar rewards hereafter."

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVIII, No. 2, December 1858, Page 40:

THE LATE R.W. FRANCIS J. OLIVER, P. G. M., From a paper read by Dr. Lewis, before the Boston Encampment.

The memory of the just and good should not perish. Of those whose lives were protracted to a ripe old age, and that old age not only unblemished, but polished and adorned by a long career of persistent excellence, the odour should not only "smell to Heaven," but be treasured in our hearts here. One of outnumber, venerable in years, honored and revered through a long life, distinguished for .his persevering attachment to his early vows as a Brother, has passed upward. Let us put on record the sense of our appreciation of his worth. Francis Johonnot Oliver, the great grandson of Antoine Olivier,—an old Huguenot, who came to this country soon after the Revocation ol the Edict of Nantes, — was born in Boston, Oct. 10th, 1777. Antoine, who was the remotest ancestor in this country, —was married in 1711, and had fifteen children, eight born in Boston, and seven in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, where the old gentleman died, and where his tomb-stone now stands. One of his daughters married a Mr. Johonnot, another Mr. Joseph Coolidge, the grandfather of the present Mr. Jos. Coolidge, of Boston.

Our Brother Oliver was fitted for college at the Boston Latin School, and entered Harvard College one of the youngest of his class, and graduated in 1795. He was one of the originators and the first Vice President (Deputy Marshal they now call it) of the Porcellian Club. On leaving college he entered a counting-room, and seems ever to have been extremely systematic and methodical in whatever he was engaged. We accordingly find that his account books, mathematical lectures, French studies, &c, were all written out with the greatest neatness and thoroughness, even when he was a mere lad. He early took a prominent position among the young men, and presided often at their public meetings, several of which, among others, were held for the purpose of Expressing their views about the French war and threatened invasion. When, by the advice of President Adams, the Boston Light Infantry was organized for service, as the French were expected, he was the first Ensign and afterwards Lieut., and was offered the Captaincy, which he was obliged to decline, as he was going abroad.

When he was of age, he went into the shipping and commission business with an elderly gentleman named Proctor, under the firm of Oliver and Proctor. The firm lasted for some years, but finally failed. He then chartered a small ship and went cruising about in search of profit and adventure. His first cargo was a party of French soldiers, to be returned to the French government. Having landed his passengers at Bordeaux, he went to Portugal, the West Indies, the Spanish Main, &c, — was fired into by the fort at Caracas, nearly shipwrecked in the Archipelago, and after various adventures, returned to Boston, with considerable experience, but little money. Having a good name, however, Mr. Cornelius Coolidge sought him in partnership, and they went into business together, making a great deal of money, till the war began in 1812, when they lost as fast. It was at this time, that he and Mr. Coolidge each manned a boat with armed men, went down the harbor and recaptured a brig of theirs, which had been taken by a privateer, near the Light, because the brig had made use of an English license in Portugal; and, therefore, by law, was a fair prey to our privateers. Public opinion, however, was so strong against the men who thus pounced on their own countrymen, just as they had escaped British cruisers and dangers of the seas, that he and Mr. Coolidge did not suffer for their rash act.

He was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge, of which he long continued an active member. He was Master of this Lodge, and presided over it with great dignity and excellence. Perhaps no one has ever exceeded him in these particulars. He was Junior Grand Warden in 1808; Senior Grand Warden in 1809, 1810, 1811; Deputy Grand Master in 1813, 1814, 1815, and Grand Master in 1816, 1817, 1818. Throughout his long and honorable life, he was the steadfast Mason,—one ever ready to support the principles and practices of the Order, whether in its prosperity or adversity.

With Mr. Coolidge, he founded the American Insurance Company, and became its President, in which situation he remained for some eighteen years. He was a prominent member of the Humane Society, and was something of a politician in Boston — first as a Federalist, and then a Whig. He was President of the Common Council in 1824 and 1825; Representative, and held divers other municipal offices. He was also one of the original purchasers of Noddle's Island, and founders of East Boston — one of the originators of Mount Auburn Cemetery, and was ever among the foremost in starting and carrying out plans for the public. Somewhere about 1836, he resigned the Presidency of the American Insurance Company to become the Agent for the English Banking House of Morrison and Cryder; but the hard times coming on, and that house dissolving, he found too late that he had made an unfortunate change. His health became enfeebled at the same time, and, giving up business entirely, he retired to a country seat in Middletown, Ct., where he principally lived for eighteen years, and where he peacefully died Aug. 21st, 1858, regretted by all who knew him. In the quietude of his rural residence, in the satisfactory retrospect of a well-spent life, the close of that life was calm and happy.

"O what a glory doth this world put on
For him that with a fervent heart goes forth
Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks
On duties well performed, and days well spent!
For him the wind, ay, the yellow leaves,
Shall have a voice, and give him eloquent teachings.
He shall so hear the solemn hymn, that Death
Has lifted up for all, that he shall go
To his long resting-place without a tear."

CHARTERS GRANTED

RULINGS

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