RACMassachusettsYear1859
1859
John McClellan, Grand High Priest
Isaac P. Seavey, Deputy Grand High Priest
William H. L. Smith, Grand King
James Kimball, Grand Scribe
Contents
REGULAR SESSIONS
ANNUAL SESSION, 09/13/1859
Meeting held at Boston (ChI-760):
Grand Chapter opened.
- A memorial was read for Past Grand High Priest Stephen Lovell.
- The committee on regalia was granted further time.
- Finance.
- Charity.
The Grand Chapter was called to refreshment until 10/24/1859.
- The committee on regalia was granted further time. The committee was instructed "to consider the expediency of procuring jewels for the Past Grand Officers."
- The Grand High Priest reported on the triennial meeting of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter.
- The Commmittee on Foreign Correspondence presented "a voluminous report."
- The proposition on revision to Article XV of the Grand Regulations was tabled.
- Charity.
R. E. James Kimball was elected Grand High Priest; other officers elected and appointed as noted on Pages ChI-765 and ChI-766. Installation of Grand Officers followed.
A return to the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter appears on Page ChI-767.
STATED MEETING, 12/13/1859
Held at Mason's Hall, Boston (ChI-768):
Grand Chapter opened.
- The committee on regalia showed a drawing for new jewels for Past Grand Officers, and the committee was authorized to procure them.
- Charity.
- The dispensation for Berkshire Chapter in Pittsfield was continued for three months. (It was consecrated in March 1860; no Special Meeting took place, but the Grand High Priest presided.)
- The Grand Tyler was authorized to procure aprons.
- The proposition on revision to Article XV of the Grand Regulations was indefinitely postponed.
- The dispensation for King Solomon (2) Chapter in Enfield was extended six months. (It was consecrated on January 14, 1860; no Special Meeting took place, but the Grand High Priest presided.)
STATED MEETING, 03/13/1860
Held at Mason's Hall, Boston (ChI-772):
Grand Chapter opened.
- The committee on regalia reported that six jewels for each of the four principal officers had been obtained.
- The By-Laws of Mount Lebanon Chapter were approved with small revisions.
- Voted "That the Work and Lectures as at present practiced under this jurisdiction, be referred to a Committee to consider and report such modifications as may be found necessary to conform to the relations we at present sustain to the General Grand Chapter." A committee was appointed to consider this.
STATED MEETING, 06/12/1860
Held at Mason's Hall, Boston (ChI-775 ):
Grand Chapter opened.
A petition for Keystone Chapter in Foxboro was presented, and a dispensation was issued.
A committee presented the following report:
Whereas, the General Grand Chapter of the United States has, in its wisdom, seen fit to rescind and annul so much of its organic law as required obedience from, and afforded protection to, the State Grand Chapters, therefore
Resolved, that the connection heretofore existing between the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts and the General Grand Chapter of the United States, is hereby dissolved and terminated.
Resolved, that the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, from and after the passage of these resolutions, is an independent and sovereign Masonic authority, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acknowledging no subordination to, or dependence on, any other Masonic power or authority, than the ancient laws, usages and customs of Royal Arch Masonry.
The report was debated, and ordered to be tabled until the next meeting, and that a copy would be transmitted to the General Grand Chapter.
LIST OF CHAPTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS: 1859
| Location | Chapter | Precedence Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | St. Andrew's | 08/28/1769 | |
| Newburyport | King Cyrus | 06/28/1790 | |
| Salem | Washington | 01/09/1811 | |
| 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 | |
| Fitchburg | Thomas | 12/11/1821 | |
| Worcester | Worcester | 09/16/1823 | |
| Medway | Mount Lebanon | 12/14/1824 | |
| Northampton | Northampton | 06/23/1825 | |
| Concord | Concord | 03/25/1826 | |
| Lowell | Mt. Horeb | 04/08/1826 | |
| Sutton | Sutton | 09/26/1826 | |
| East Boston | St. John's (2) | 12/12/1854 | |
| Chelsea | Shekinah | 12/11/1855 | |
| Hyannis | Orient | 09/09/1856 | |
| Haverhill | Pentucket | 12/09/1856 | |
| Pittsfield | Berkshire | 12/07/1858 | Consecrated 03/22/1860 |
| Enfield | King Solomon (2) | 12/07/1858 | Consecrated 01/14/1860 |
| Foxboro | Keystone, U. D. | 06/12/1860 |
