The Charter of Ark Lodge No. 39, A.F. & A.M.
To all and every, our Loving and Worshipful Brethren, Free and Accepted Masons, however dispersed. The Grand Lodge of the most Ancient and Honorable Society in the State of Connecticut, in America, Sendeth Greetings.
Whereas, Application has been made unto us, by William Heron, Nathan Hubbel, Benjamin Hall, Nathan Wheeler, Lyman Edwards, Samuel Hall, Thomas Davis, James Rockwell, David Jackson Jr., William Hawley, JR., Joseph Prince, Henry Beardley, Lockwood Deforest and Abel Hall, Brethren of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, residing in the towns of Weston and Reading, in the County of Fairfield and parts adjacent. That we would be pleased to form them into a Regular Lodge and appoint their Worthy Brethren, William Heron, First Master, Nathan Wheeler, First Senior Warden and Benjamin Hall, First Junior Warden of said Lodge, granting to them and their successors full power to rule, govern and regulate the same, that Masonry may increase and flourish in these parts. Now, Know ye, that we, trusting and relying on their fidelity, resolution, good conduct and skill in Masonry, have nominated, ordained, constituted and appointed and do hereby nominate, ordain, constitute and appoint our Worshipful and Beloved Brother, William Heron, Esquire, to be First Master of Ark Lodge, No. 39, to be holden in the town of Weston, aforesaid, and that our Beloved Brethren, Nathan Wheeler, be First Senior and Benjamin Hall, First Junior Warden of said Lodge. And we do hereby empower him, the said Master, to congregate the Brethren together and form them into a regular Lodge. He taking especial care in choosing the other Officers for the due regulation thereof for one year, at the end of which time the Lodge shall have full power to choose and appoint their Master and other Officers and so, annually, the Master and Wardens for the time being. Taking care that all and every member admitted into said Lodge have been, or shall be, made regular Masons. And they, the Master, Wardens and Brethren of said Lodge, and their successors for ever are hereby required, strictly, to observe and obey all such ordinances, rules and regulations, as shall from time to time be communicated to them from this Grand Lodge or the Grand Master. And that they do make regular returns to the Grand Lodge of the names of the members that shall be made, passed, raised or admitted into said Lodge and their places of abode, the day and place of meeting, together with any other thing they may think communicate for the benefit of their Lodge, or Masonry in general. And, Lastly, we do hereby require the said Constituted Brethren to attend the Grand Lodge by the Master and Wardens, or proxies by them appointed at the half yearly communications.
Witness, the Most Worshipful William Judd, Esquire, our Grand Master, and the seal of the Grand Lodge, affixed at Farmington, this tenth day of June, Anno Domini, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven, and of Masonry, five thousand, seven hundred, and ninety-seven
John Mix William Judd
Grand Secretary Grand Master
Registered in the Books of the Grand Lodge
Attest John Mix, Grand Secretary