The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-10
BOSTON ANCIENTS
AN HONORABLE BODY
Live Under Charter Grant
ed in 1888.
OLDEST MILITARY BODY
Roll of Membership Contains Names
Historic in Massachusetts-Co
plete Roster

The Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company of Massachusetts. who accom-
pany the HonourabIes of London as
their hosts in their tour about the coun-
try, are as distinguished an organiza
tion as their guests. They received a
charter signed by John Winthrop, then
governor OF Massachusetts Bay Colony.
March Is. 1888. Under that charter It
still lives. now bearing the name of
THE Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company of Massachusetts,, and being
the Oldest military body and organiza-
ton on the Americtn continent Upon
the roll of its members are TO be found
the names of men who in their day and
generation through the history of Massa-
chusetts have been foremost in peace
and In war, and have occupied the high
est places in science, art, and litera-
ture. in social. professional. political.
and military life.
Famous Names Enrolled.
The complete roster from 1887 to 1894
has been published in book form and is
preserved to current date. including Ca
leb Cushing. captain. 1851: Nathaniel P.
Banks, elected captain 1867, 1873. and
1875. James Monroe. Chester A Arthur.
H. r. H. Albert, prince consort, and AL
among the names on the roster as hon
orary members
Charter of Company.
The preamble to the charter granted
he
Company the 18th of the first month.
1888 A." reads as follows;
Whereas divers gentlemen and
others. out of their care of the pub
Xix weale & safety by the advance
ment of the military arte, & exer-
else of armes. have desired license
of the Coute to ioyne themselves in
one company. & TO have liberty to
exercise themselves at such times
as these locations will best permit.
and that such other liberties & Priv
ileges might bee granted them as
the Court should think meete for
their better Encouragement and fur
therance in so useful implement
which request of theirs being refer
red by the Court to VS. of the stand
ing councill we have thought fit vp-
on serious consideration & confer
ence with diveise of the principal
OF them to set downe order herein.
as followeth-
Name of Company.
Imprimis. Wee do order that Rob-
ert Keayne. Nathaniel Duncan.
Robert Sedgwick Willie Spencer,
gentleman, and such others as are
already ioyned with them & such
as they shall from time to time take
into their Company shall bee called
''the Military Company OF the Mass
achusetts"
2 They or the greater number of
them shall have liberty to choose
their captaine. lieutenant d all other
officers their captaine & 1feftenant
to bee alwayes such as the Court or
COUNSEL shall allow of. and no off,
Ger to bee put upon them but OF their
own choyce.
g. The first Monday OF every
month is appointed for their meet
ing & exercise, & to the end that
they may not bee hindered from
comeing together wee do hereby or
der that no other traineings in the
particular townes nor other ordinary
towne meetings shall bee appoint
ed on that day: & IL that DAY pve
unreasonable for exercise of their
armes then the sixth day of the same
week IS appointed for supply: this
not 10 extend TO Salem or the
townes beyond, nor 70 bingham,
Dedham nor Concord