Below is a reproduction of the original Saint John's Lodge No. 4 Charter, known as the Jeremy Gridley Charter of 1762. The text of the charter has also been provided below:

CHARTER

JER. GRIDLEY, G. M.

To all and Every Our Right Worshipful and Loving Brethren, Free and Accepted Masons now residing, or that may hereafter reside at Hartford, in the Colony of Connecticut.

The Right Worshipful Jeremy Gridley, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of the Antient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in North America,

Sendeth Greeting

Whereas, Application hath been mode unto us by several Brethren of the Antient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, now residing in Hartford, aforesaid. That we would be pleased to Constitute them into a Regular Lodge, that Masonry may increase and nourish in these Parts;

Now Know Ye

That we have nominated, Ordained, Constituted and Appointed Our Right Worshipful and well beloved Brother, Mr. John Townley, to be the just Master of the Lodge at Hartford, aforesaid, and do hereby empower him to Congregate the Brethren and form them into a Regular Lodge, he taking special care in choosing two Wardens and other Officers necessary for the due Regulations thereof for one year; at the end whereof the Lodge shall have power to Choose and Appoint their Master and other Officers, and so Annually; the Master and Wardens, for the time being, taking special care that all and every Member Admitted into Lodge from time to time, have been, or shall be, made Regular Masons, and that they do cause all and every the Regulations contained in the printed book of Constitutions (except such as have been or may be repealed at any Quarterly Communication, or other General Meeting in London,) to be kept and Observed; and Also all such other Rules and Instructions as shall be from time to time transmitted to them by us, our Deputy, or the Grand Master or his Deputy for the time being; and that they do Annually send in writing to us, or out Deputy, or the Grand Master or his Deputy for the time being, an Account of the names of the members of said lodge, and their place of abode, with the days and place of meeting, with any other things they may think proper to communicate for the benefit of their lodge; and that they do send two Guineas for their Constitution, to be paid into the stock of the Grand Lodge in Boston; and further that they do annually keep, or cause to be kept, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and dine together on that day, or near that day, as shall be judged most convenient; and lastly, that they do regularly communicate with the Grand Lodge in Boston, by sending in their Quarterly Communications such charity as their Lodge shall think fitt for the relief of poor brethren, as also three Guineas to be transmitted to the Grand Lodge in London.

Given under our hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of March, Anno Dom: One thousand seven hundred and sixty-two, and of Masonry, Five thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two.

By the Grand Master's Command,
EDM. Quincy, G. Sec'y
Rob't Jenkins, D. G. M.
John Box, S. G. W.
Rob't Williams, J. G. W.