MAStJohnPrincetonNJ

From MasonicGenealogy
Jump to: navigation, search

ST. JOHN'S LODGE, PRINCE TOWN

Location: Princeton, New Jersey

Chartered By: Jeremy Gridley

Charter Date: 10/25/1765 tbd

Precedence Date: 10/25/1765

Current Status: extinct


NOTES

HISTORICAL NOTES FROM NEW JERSEY

From the web site of Princeton Lodge #38:

"The first Princeton lodge was granted a charter on October 25, 1765 by Jeremiah Gridley, Grand Master of St. John’s Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. This was prior to the formation of New Jersey’s Grand Lodge which was on December 18, 1786, 21 years later. The charter stated the the lodge number would be #3, the third lodge formed in New Jersey and would meet in Prince Town, NJ. Its first worshipful master was Richard Stockton who later signed the declaration of independence. It is not proven but believed that lodge meetings were held at his home in Morven. It should be remembered that members of that early lodge were British subjects since America was a colony of Great Britain at that time. Prince Town Lodge #3 was evidently short lived because no record of Masonic activity in Princeton has been found from 1765 to 1813."

LETTER, SEPTEMBER 1765

From Proceedings, Page I-99, after 10/25/1765 Quarterly Communication.

PRINCE TOWN NEW JERSEY Sept. 24th 1765.

To JEREMIAH GRIDLEY Esqr.

Right Worshipfull.

Whereas we the Subscribers being desirous of being formed into a regular and lawful Lodge, do now make Application to you for a Warrant to Constitute the same, also to appoint the first Master which I nominate Richard Stockton of the said Place ; Pray let it be sent by the bearer of this, safely enclosed, and the said bearer will Satisfy you for the same.

NB : let it be nominated St. Johns. Pray Sir, (if you can conveniently), empower us to give Warrants for the Constituting of Lodges.

  • RICHARD STOCKTON
  • OLIVER ELSWORTH
  • SOVEREIGN SYBRANDT
  • SOLOMON KELLOGG
  • AUGUSTUS DIGGENS
  • THEODRICK ROMEYN
  • BENJAMIN HEINS

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges