NEW HAMPSHIRE. The ear liest record of the introduction of Masonry into this State will be found upon the books of St. John's Grand Lodge, Boston, and in these words, to wit: "A petition from the brethren residing in Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, for the erection of a Lodge there (June 24, 1734,) was granted, denominated The Holy Lodge of St. John's;' which was the beginning of Masonry in New Hampshire." A charter was granted to. a number of brethren in Ports mouth by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, under the name of " St. Patrick's Lodge," bearing date Bos ton, March 17, 1780. This Lodge continued its meetings until the latter end of 1790, when they ceased working. This Lodge had never acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New Hamp shire, and the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, by the charter of St. Pat rick's Lodge, claimed jurisdiction no longer than till a Grand Lodge should be formed in New Hamp shire; therefore, St. Patrick's Lodge was not, at the time of its disso lution, under the jurisdiction of any Grand Lodge. A charter was granted to several brethren at Cor nish by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, dated Nov. 8, 1781. This Lodge met a few times at Cornish, but when that town was claimed by New Hampshire the Lodge removed to Windsor, Vermont, and took the name of Vermont Lodge No. 1. A petition from several brethren, to erect a Lodge at Keene, was read in the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, March 5, 1784, and a charter granted under the designation of the Rising Sun Lodge. This Lodge returned
its charter to the Massachusetts Grand Lodge at the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Hamp shire. Two other lodges—Faithful and Dartmouth—were chartered by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, and were surrendered to the parent body after the formation of the Now Hampshire Grand Lodge. July 8, 1789, deputies from the several lodges in the State assem bled in convention, at Dartmouth, and, after due deliberation, adopted the following: "Resolved, That there be a Grand Lodge ester' dished in the State of New Ramp: tire, upon principles consistent wit ., and sub ordinate to, the Ccneral Regulations and Ancient Constitutions of Free masonry." The Grand Lodge, being thus organized, proceeded to the election of Grand Officers, when the Hon. John Sullivan, President of ! the State, was elected Grand Master.
The GRAND CHAPTER was organ ized in 1819. John Harris was elected the first Grand High-Priest.
The Orders of Knighthood were introduced into this State in 1824. I The GRIND COMMANDERY was or ganized Aug. 22,-1860. Daniel Balch was elected the first Grand Com mander.