RACMassachusettsYear1829
1829
Daniel Gibbens, Grand High Priest
Benjamin Huntoon, Deputy Grand High Priest
Richard S. Spofford, Grand King
Abraham A. Dame, Grand Scribe
Contents
REGULAR SESSIONS
ANNUAL SESSION, 09/08/1829
Meeting held at Boston (Ch1-362):
Grand Chapter opened, and was adjourned until 09/29/1829.
- A report was made on the meeting of the General Grand Chapter.
- A Committee was appointed to confer with the Grand Council regarding "the expediency of uniting and conferring those degrees in the Subordinate Chapters."
- The Grand Chapter voted to amend the 12th article of the Grand Constitutions to read:
"The several Chapters under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter, shall pay for the support thereof, into the hands of the Grand Treasurer annually, the sum of six dollars, and also three dollars for every candidate who shall be exalted in such Chapter, and shall be entitled to receive of the Grand Secretary one diploma for each candidate exalted."
- Financial reports, including notes that seven chapters had made no returns for the previous years:
- Rising Sun 2 years; Note: the Proceedings indicate that their charter was surrendered in 1824.
- King Solomon's 2 years
- Worcester 2 years
- King Hiram (1) 2 years
- Franklin 2 years
- King Cyrus 2 years
- Sutton 2 years
- Adoniram
- Morning Star
- Concord
- Thomas
- Northampton
- Brookfield
The meeting elected the officers for the Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the ensuing year, with R. E. Benjamin Huntoon elected Grand High Priest, and other officers elected and appointed as noted on Pages ChI-368 and ChI-369.
A committee was appointed to compare the Constitutions with the revised Constitution of the General Grand Chapter.
STATED MEETING, 12/08/1829
Held at Mason's Hall, Boston (ChI-369):
Grand Chapter opened.
The committee conferring with the Grand Council was given leave to sit again.
A letter was received from R. E. Benjamin Huntoon, declining election as Grand High Priest:
Canton, November 11, 1829:
M. E. Companions:
Your communication of the 1st of October, informing me of my election to the elevated station of High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts, has been duly received, and I should be calous {sic} to the purest feelings of our nature, were I not gratified by this flattering expression of the approbation and partiality of my companions. And while I am reluctantly compelled, in consequence of an unexpected removal of my residence from this Commonwealth, to decline the acceptance of the dignified trust, and exalted honor, so generously proffered me, I would beg you to make my grateful acknowledgments to the M. E. Grand Chapter for this cordial assurance of their confidence and friendship, my highest respect for their distinguished body, and my best wishes for its prosperity and success in the holy cause of benevolence and morality.
And permit me to avail myself of the present opportunity for expressing my unabated devotion, and ardent attachment to the sublime principles, and auspicious tendencies of Freemasonry, and my unfeigned sentiments of personal regard and esteem for yourselves.
I am very respectfully,
Your sincere friend and companion,
Benjamin Huntoon.
The meeting elected the officers for the Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the ensuing year, with R. E. Samuel Clarke elected Grand High Priest. Companion Clarke's election as Grand High Priest necessitated a new election for Grand King, and R. E. Charles R. Train was chosen. Other officers, elected and appointed, are noted on Pages ChI-372 and ChI-373.
STATED MEETING, 06/08/1830
Held at Mason's Hall, Boston (ChI-374):
Grand Chapter opened.
- The Committee appointed to compare the Constitutions with the revised Constitution of the General Grand Chapter offered the following suggestions for revision, which were accepted:
The 11th article, as follows: "The fees for a warrant for holding a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and opening Lodges of Mark Masters, Past Masters, and Most Excellent Masters, shall be ninety dollars, and the Secretary shall be paid by the petitioners ten dollars for his services in executing the Charter."
The 3rd article, to include the following after the words 'Royal Arch Mason': "that he be a member of a Chapter under this jurisdiction."
The committee appointed to confer with the Grand Council was given leave to sit again.
- Washington Chapter's petition for a remission of dues was refused.
- Paul Dean was installed as General Grand King of the General Grand Chapter.
- A letter was received regarding the establishment of a meeting place for Masonic organizations in Boston.
LIST OF CHAPTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS: 1829
| Location | Chapter | Precedence Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | St. Andrew's | 08/28/1769 | |
| Newburyport | King Cyrus | 06/28/1790 | |
| Groton | St. John's | 09/20/1803 | |
| Charlton | King Solomon's | 09/17/1805 | |
| Salem | Washington | 01/09/1811 | |
| Greenwich | King Hiram (1) | 06/13/1815 | |
| Taunton | Adoniram | 09/10/1816 | |
| Springfield | Morning Star | 06/29/1818 | |
| Franklin | Greenfield | 12/07/1818 | |
| Boston | St. Paul's | 01/25/1819 | |
| Stoughton | Mount Zion | 12/12/1820 | |
| Princeton | Thomas | 12/11/1821 | |
| Worcester | Worcester | 09/16/1823 | |
| Medway | Mount Lebanon | 12/14/1824 | |
| Brookfield | Brookfield | 02/25/1825 | |
| Northampton | Northampton | 03/25/1826 | |
| Concord | Concord | 03/25/1826 | |
| Lowell | Mt. Horeb | 04/08/1826 | |
| Sutton | Sutton | 09/26/1826 | |
| New Bedford | Bethlehem, U. D. | 09/26/1826 |
