RHODE ISLAND. December 27, 1749, the petition of several brethren residing in Newport was presented to St. John's Grand Lodge at Boston, of which Thomas Oxnard was Grand Master, praying for the incorporation of a regular Lodge there, which, on being read, it was voted that a charter be granted them. This was the beginning of Masonry in Rhode Island. The second Lodge was established at Providence Jan. 18, 1757, under the title of St. John's Lodge, by authority of the same Grand Lodge, Jeremy Gridley being Grand Master, in compliance with the petition of several brethren residing there. Nov. 3, 1790, a report from a joint committee of the two lodges in Rhode Island, proposing a plan for the formation of a Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, was adopted. The constitution of the Grand Lodge was adbpted April 6, 179i. Christo pher Champlin was elected the first Grand Master. The first charter
granted by the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island was in 1799, to certain brethren in Warren, under the name of Washington Lodge No. 3. Not withstanding the irregularity of the formation of the Grand Lodge by only two subordinates, Freemasonry has always occupied a respectable position in Rhode Island, and her membership has been composed of its best and most honored citizens. The GRAND CHAPTER was organ ized March, 1798. Seth Wheaton was the first Grand High-Priest. The GRAND COUNCIL of Royal and Select Masters was organized Oct. 30, 1860.
The GRAND COMICANDERY, Knights Templar, belonging, jointly, to Mas sachusetts and Rhode Island, was formed in 1805. Thomas Smith Webb, of R. I., was the first Grand Commander.