A century of Free Masonry in Nantucket (1903) - Starbuck, Alexander

Page 28

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There can be no doubt as to the patriotism of the Fraternity Nantucket clurinÂŤ^ the troublous times of the Revolution when it required courage for those so situated to be imtriotic. On January 5, 1781, we find it recorded that the Lodge drank a toast " to his Excilancy Geo Washington Grand Master of America."' At that time the Lodge met in Brother Jethro Hussey's chambers. Where the first meetings were held is largely a matter of conjecture. Brother Henry Paddack says he was told by some of the older members, now passed away, that the Lodge met for a while in the house, recently torn down, which stood in Brock's Court, in what is known as This building was formerly known as the " Arthur " ^^t?ypL house, but several years ago wa.s remodelled by Mr. Thomas B. Field, into a mill, and latterly was known as the "Thomas B. Meld Mill." 'J'he Lodge also met in a house which stood in the narrow way called Coal Lane, between Union and South Water streets, and just east of the office of the Wannacomet in

Water Co. February

recorded "

Went through

the openmaster in the new forme whicli is [)ractised by sending up ye word Gripp & sign to Each steep to ye master." ing oi the

6,

1782,

Lodge

During the early turbance

it is

fron)

an a prentice

jjart

of the year there

lo

a

had been some

dis-

the friendly relations existing between Jkother Nathaniel Coffin and Worshipful Brother Timothy lM)lger, and

the

in

Lodge had been

called on several times to adjudicate the

become somewhat of a tax on the patience of the Brethren, for on August 7, 1782, they " Voted that the matter of Difference of Di.spute in accts betwixt Brs difficulty.

Coffin this

;

&

It

evidently had

be never more Laid before this Lodge after Lodge thinks they have done all they could con-

i^'olgcr

as the

sistant to order the

On

April

7, 1783,

same." it was voted that

visitors

withdraw "when

Coffin, Nathaniel Cofiin, Elias Coffin, James Cha.se 2d, John Gardner, Thoma.s Gardner, Jr., Jethro Hu.ssey, Chri.stopher Hussey,Seth Jenkins, John Ramsdel], David Ray, Christopher Worth and Andrew Worth.

Information regarding the War of 1812 is more meagre yet. The sloop Yankee, Capt. Paddack, was taken by the English and recaptured by Capt. Daniel Hussey. Charles Hilburn, the pilot on the Prince of Neufchatel, was the first one of her crew killed in her fight with the British frigate

Endymion

in 1814.


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