Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: MASONIC BODIES. Newburyport has long been known by its zeal fat the order of free masonry. The prosperity and respectability of the fraternity in this pluce are mainly attributable, in the first instance, to the exertions of Dr John B. Svvett, who settled in the town about the close of the revolutionary war. He was distinguished as an ardent mason, not less than for his genius, his education and science, his generous feelings anJ his social habits. It is said he was initiated into the mysteries of the Illu- minati in Germany; but however this may be, certain it is, that he gave the weight of his character and influence to the establishment of masonry in Newburyr port, and succeeded in a remarkable manner. The introduction of the higher degrees is owing, in a considerable measure, to his efforts. Since then the best name in this community may be found in the masonic order. St. John's Lodge is the oldest in town. Its charter is dated 1766 ; but there are no records of its meeting! until 1781. The masters have been Nathnniel Tracy, John Tracy, Stephen Hooper, Michael Hodge, Oilman White, Setn Sweetser, Edward Little, Dr Jonathan G. Johnson, Nathan Chase, Dr Richard S. Spofford, Dr Dean Robinson, John Andrews jr. and Thomas B. White. St. Peter's Lodge, was chartered under the lamented general Warren, then Provincial Grand Master, March 12th 1772. The masters have been John Brooks, Jonathan Boardman, William Greenough, Edward Rand, Moses Greenleaf, Jonathan Gage, Joshua Greenleaf, Stephen Jloward, Abraham Perkins, David Coffin, Amos Toppan, Edward Dorr, Eleazer Johnson, Benjamin Wbitmore.Hnoch Plumraer Jr. Joseph George, and Francis B. Somerby. St. Mark's Lodge was chartered in 1803 and consecrated July llth 1804. It is now the largest Lodge in the town, consisting of 11...