RIGMAnthony
RICHARD ANTHONY 1767-1840
Grand Master 1825-1826
BIOGRAPHY
The name of Richard Anthony who was the eleventh Grand Master of Rhode Island is number 32 on the roll of Grand Lodge. He was born at Providence, April 19, 1767, the son of Daniel Anthony (or Anthoinie, as he wrote it), the first American ancestor who came from the village of Hampstead, near London, England to new England in the barque Hercules, landing April 16, 1634. His mother was Mary Bowen, daughter of Richard and Remember (Goodspeed) Bowen. He was married May 12, 1791 at Providence to Abigail Eddy of Providence by Justice of the Peace Pitman. Captain Eddy was a Naval officer in the Revolutionary War. He was ordered with a ship’s company to Crown Point, NY where he contracted smallpox and died there in May of 1777. Richard Anthony and wife Abigail had nine children.
After his marriage, Richard Anthony removed to Coventry where he engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods with his brother William Anthony. The village of Anthony in the town was named after them in 1805.
From History of Freemasonry in Rhode Island, 1895, Page 295:
Richard Anthony was a native of Providence, where he resided for a good number of years. He was born April 19, 1767. In the early part of the present century he took up his residence in Coventry, R. I., and was associated with an older brother, William Anthony, the father of Hon. H. B. Anthony, in manufacturing pursuits.
The subject of this sketch was made a Mason in Mt. Vernon Lodge, Providence, in 1802. His name appears subscribed to the By-Laws of that Lodge under date of March 22 of that year. He became greatly interested in Freemasonry, and was the moving spirit in the establishment of Manchester Lodge, No. 12, now located in the village of Anthony. A petition for such new Lodge was presented to Grand Lodge, by Masons residing in the town of Coventry at the Quarterly Communication held Nov. 28, 1808, and was approved. At the meeting of Grand Lodge, June 26, 1809, the following action was taken:
Resolved. That the Dispensation Granted for holding a Lodge at Coventry by the name of Manchester Lodge, be extended for one year from this date, and that Richard Anthony, Joseph Rice and William Anthony be continued as the first three officers for the same time.
The two brothers Anthony were leaders in the movement for the organizing of the new Lodge. Richard was the first Master, being succeeded in that office by his elder brother William. As already stated they were associated in business interests. Richard was the superintendent or manager of the Anthony Mill for a number of years. In the fall of 1817 he removed to Grey-stone, adjoining Providence, where he built the Greystone Mill, and where he continued to reside during the remainder of his mortal life. He died March 28, 1840, and his body was buried in the family cemetery at that place. Richard Anthony appeared in Grand Lodge at the time of the proceedings in relation to the establishing of Manchester Lodge, and from that period forward, for a considerable number of years, he was conspicuous in the conduct of its affairs. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1815; Senior Grand Warden in 1816; and was made Deputy Grand Master in 1817, holding this last named office for six years. He was elected Grand Master in 1825, and re-elected in 1826. His administration was characterized by equal intelligence and zeal.
