Anthony Sayer
Encyclopedia
Anthony Sayer. On 24 June 1717 (the Feast of St. John the Baptist
), at the formation of the first Premier Grand Lodge of England
of freemasons at London, the members present elected as their first Grand Master "Antony Sayer, Gentleman," "about whom less definite information is known than any of his successors in that high office.". Although it later became known as "The Grand Lodge of England," this new "Grand Lodge" was formed to regulate only those constituent lodges in London
and Westminster
, the territorial aspirations of the founders being quite limited. It was therefore not referred to as "the Grand Lodge of England" at this early period.
It is clear that from the outset the Masons sought a high ranking brother as Grand Master. However, Sayer's rank as a gentleman evidently exceeded his means. He was a member of the Lodge at the Apple Tree Tavern (now the Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12), and not the aristocratic Rummer & Grapes. Although appointed Senior Grand Warden in 1719, he served as Tyler (door guard) of the Old King's Arms Lodge No. 28, and petitioned the Lodge for support in 1736 and 1740, and petitioned Grand Lodge for charity in 1724, 1730 and 1741.
The Old King's Arms Lodge minutes of January 6, 1742 record his death during the previous month. His funeral was attended by a large number of Freemasons "of the best quality" and he was "decently interred in Covent Garden
Church."
Nativity of St. John the Baptist
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist is a Christian feast day celebrating the birth of John the Baptist, a prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah in the person of Jesus and who baptized Jesus.-Significance:Christians have long interpreted the life of John the Baptist as a preparation for...
), at the formation of the first Premier Grand Lodge of England
Premier Grand Lodge of England
The Premier Grand Lodge of England was founded on 24 June 1717 as the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster and it existed until 1813 when it united with the Ancient Grand Lodge of England to create the United Grand Lodge of England. It was the first Masonic Grand Lodge to be created...
of freemasons at London, the members present elected as their first Grand Master "Antony Sayer, Gentleman," "about whom less definite information is known than any of his successors in that high office.". Although it later became known as "The Grand Lodge of England," this new "Grand Lodge" was formed to regulate only those constituent lodges in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, the territorial aspirations of the founders being quite limited. It was therefore not referred to as "the Grand Lodge of England" at this early period.
It is clear that from the outset the Masons sought a high ranking brother as Grand Master. However, Sayer's rank as a gentleman evidently exceeded his means. He was a member of the Lodge at the Apple Tree Tavern (now the Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12), and not the aristocratic Rummer & Grapes. Although appointed Senior Grand Warden in 1719, he served as Tyler (door guard) of the Old King's Arms Lodge No. 28, and petitioned the Lodge for support in 1736 and 1740, and petitioned Grand Lodge for charity in 1724, 1730 and 1741.
The Old King's Arms Lodge minutes of January 6, 1742 record his death during the previous month. His funeral was attended by a large number of Freemasons "of the best quality" and he was "decently interred in Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
Church."