RIGMMerry
BARNEY MERRY 1773-1847
Grand Master 1829-1830, 1840-1841
BIOGRAPHY
From History of Freemasonry in Rhode Island, 1895, Page 298:
Barney Merry, son of Samuel and Abby Merry, was born in Scituate, R. I., in the year 1773. His early life was one of considerable hardship, and by reason of circumstances and limitations beyond his control he was deprived of educational advantages, being obliged to accept the conditions of daily toil while he was yet a youth. When but nine years of age he was put out to serve an apprenticeship ; at the age of fifteen years he left this service on land and went to sea. During his seafaring life, which continued for a number of years, he crossed the ocean several times and gained a wide and useful experience.
In 1805 the subject of this sketch became associated with his brother in the dyeing and bleaching business, and a few years later succeeded to the entire charge of the same. He applied himself earnestly and successfully to the conducting of this business, having in the later years of his life the assistance of his son Samuel, who succeeded to the management on the death of his father, in 1847. Later on, Mr. Robert D. Mason, a grandson, took the business which is still carried on as at the first in the rear of East avenue, Pawtucket.
Barney Merry was made a Mason in Union Lodge, Pawtucket, Oct. 31, 1808. He served the Lodge in various important offices, and as Wor. Master in 1817-18 and 19. In the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island he was given official place very soon after acquiring membership in the body. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1823, and served as such two years, and then was advanced to the office of Senior Grand Warden. After two years' service in the last named office he was promoted to the position of Deputy Grand Master; two years later he was elected Grand Master, and the year following re-elected. He was again chosen to take the highest office in 1840, just as the Anti-Masonic storm was dying away, and again served two years —1840-41.
During the period of fierce excitement which broke out during his first term as Grand Master, lasting almost to the time when he was called again, in 1840, to preside in Grand Lodge, he bore himself confidently in the maintenance of his Masonic profession. He was a man of resolute faith and purpose and he never turned his back on the Institution which at one time was so much hated and condemned. One of the Lodges in Rhode Island perpetuates his name. Barney Merry Lodge, No. 29, Pawtucket, organized in 1872, is a special reminder to Masons and others, of the eminent Craftsman who all so faithfully discharged the duties that devolved upon him at a time when Freemasonry was meeting a bitter and most unreasonable opposition.
