FIRST GRAND MASTER IN AMERICA

The Masonic Review - 1857

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HENRY PRICE, of Boston, Massachusetts, was the first Grand Master of Masons on the American Continent. In 1733, Lord Montague, Grand Master of Masons in England, having received a petition from a number of brethren residing in New England," issued his commission to Bro. Henry Price, of Boston, constituting him Provincial Grand Master of New England. On receipt of the commission the brethren met in Boston July 30th, 1733, and organized a Provincial Grand Lodge, under the title and designation of "St. John's Grand Lodge," when the following officers were chosen and duly installed: Andrew Belcher, D.G.M.; Thomas Kennelly, S.G.W.; John Quano, J.G.W. A subordinate Lodge was immediately organized in Boston, by the name of "St. John's Lodge." Thus was Masonry, in an organized form, introduced into America, and which has since spread all over the United States, and throughout Canada. At different periods it has also been introduced into the Central and South American States, but the prevalence of Roman Catholicism has prevented it from taking firm root there, as Romanism has long been the determined and
uncompromising enemy of Freemasonry. 
 
Bro. Price resigned his office of Grand Master in 1736. How long he lived or when he died, we have no means of ascertaining. He was buried in the grave-yard in Townsend, in Massachusetts, and the place of his burial is still designated by "a tablet bearing an inscription which records important facts of his life." The Grand Master of  Massachusetts, in a late communication to that Grand Lodge, suggests the propriety of removing his remains to the beautiful Cemetery of Mt. Auburn, near Boston, and erecting to his memory there "a substantial and appropriate memorial."

In the mind of every Freemason in the land, there can be no doubt about the propriety, nor should there be as to the duty, of the Grand Lodge to proceed at once to perform this task. Such a memento would be alike honorable to the memory of the first Grand Master in America, and to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It should be done at once, and built of granite, plain but substantial, and the tablet above referred to placed within it. Then a delegation from ever Grand Lodge
in North America should, by invitation, be present at its dedication, and take part in the ceremonies. Let the whole Craft be represented there, that the united brotherhood may do homage to the first Grand Master of Masons in America. 

The prosperity of Masonry as a means of strengthening our religion and propagating true brotherly love, is one of the dearest wishes of my heart, which, I trust, will be gratified by the help of the Grand Architect of the Universe. CHRISTIAN, KING OF DENMARK.