Difference between revisions of "Adams"

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=== HISTORY ===
 
=== HISTORY ===
  
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1940 1940]''' (75th Anniversary History, 1940-84)
+
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1940 1940]''' (75th Anniversary History, 1940-84; see below)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1965 1965]''' (Centenary History, 1965-200)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1965 1965]''' (Centenary History, 1965-200)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1997 1997]''' (200th Anniversary History, 1997-113)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1997 1997]''' (200th Anniversary History, 1997-113)
 +
 +
==== 75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1940 ====
 +
 +
''From Proceedings, Page 1940-84:''
 +
 +
''by Rt. Wor. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersS#SNOW.2C_HENRY_ALLEN_1875-1946 Henry A. Snow].''
 +
 +
The first pages of the records of the first Adams Lodge are missing and much information of value is lost. The building in which the meetings were held evidently was situated on the site of the present moving picture theatre. It was held by the "Proprietors of Masonic Hall and School Roomr" and in January
 +
1798 consisted of 23 members, one member of which was named as school agent. The byJaws state that $10.75 be charged for the Entered Apprentice Degree, 25¢ for the Fellowcraft Degree, 25¢ for the Master Mason Degree, and $5.00  was assessed for membership. The by-laws also state that the Lodge consist of 40 members and no more. The records however show that there were a much larger number taken into membership. It was an early custom of this Lodge to lend money to its members taking a note for the same. This practice evidently was somewhat unhappy as the by-laws were early amended that in the future the notes of hand were to be signed by two responsible members. Visiting Brethren were assessed 25¢ each. Candidates were from the area Wellfleet to Barnstable. A lack of work was evidenced in 1805 and in 1806; the records note from time to time "a few members met". The Lodge up to June 1809 observed St. John's day every year by a service delivered by a Reverend Brother and followed by a dinner. This communication each year seems to be the outstanding one as recorded. In the list of Lodges under the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Mass., Adams Lodge ranked 37th in seniority and was located in the third district. From 1806 to 1813 the meetings were irregular and ceased to be recorded after 1813. December 12, 1821, Grand Lodge records, "Adams Lodge in the eleventh district has surrendered its charter." January 28, 1823, ten members of the former Lodge met and divided $49.63.
 +
 +
At this point in the records of the Lodge rhe remaining pages of the record book have been cut out. The Lodge from time to time appointed a liquor agent. An excerpt from the records reads, "February 11, 1805, Brother Thomas Higgins Worshipful Master, should buy liquor at Boston, for the hall, viz, brandy, gin, WI rum, Gwine, 5 or 6 gallons of each, and draw the money out of the fund." It is noted that the records in several instances record the Lodge as voting that at banquets, the members will pay for the food, the Lodge paying for the liquors. July the ninth 1804, Brother Samuel Newcomb was voted $5.00 for his Past Master's jewel. Fuel was furnished the Lodge at a cost of $3.00 per year. The rent of the hall paid to the Proprietors of the hall averaged $25.00 per year. July 13th, 1801, it was voted that the Masons in Dennis and towns adjacent be recommended to the Grand Lodge to obtain a Charter for a Lodge to be held in Dennis. The records record no instances of disagreement among the members, unanimity and concord prevailed, the harmony of the meetings was unimpaired. Economic and political reasons seem to be the answer of the discontinuance of the Lodge. At the time of the application of the second Lodge for its Charter, the story exists that if a certain number of Brothers who were former members of the first Lodge could be located, the Charter of the first Lodge would be returned to Adams Lodge and the Lodge would function as never having been discontinued. All but one of the required number were located. After the new Charter had been issued one member was located at Portland, Maine, too late however to take advantage of the offer of Grand Lodge. What a lost opportunity! Today the Lodge would be nearly 145 years in existence instead of 75 years.
 +
 +
The present Adams Lodge was the result of a meeting of Wellfeet members of the Craft for the purpose of establishing a Lodge of Master Masons in Wellfleet, Mass. At this meeting, held November 9, 1865, at the Center School House, it was decided to petition the Most Worshipful [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMParkman Grand Master] of Massachusetts for a Dispensation to institute a Lodge of Master Masons in Wellfleet. A nominating committee, consisting of Albert W. Holbrook, Alonzo Hatch and Napthali Rich, presented a list of officers, namely, Napthali Rich, Worshipful Master, Harvey O. Sparrow, and George T. Wyer, Senior and Junior Wardens respectively. The list was accepted and on ballot they were declared elected. It was also voted to name the proposed Lodge, Adams Lodge, that being the name of the Lodge formerly established in Wellfleet. The Petition was presented to the Grand Master and a Dispensation was granted December 14, 1865 to form a Lodge at Wellfleet by Most Worshipful [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMParkman William Parkman]. This Dispensation expired at the December communication of Grand Lodge, 1866. The first meeting of Adams was held January 8, 1866. Seven applications for degrees were presented. A committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of thanks to [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=KingHiram King Hiram's] Lodge of Provincetown, for the gift of jewels and working tools. On December 10, 1866 the officers of Adams Lodge were instructed to apply for a Charter. Adams Lodge was constituted January 2, 1867, by Most Worshipful [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame Charles C. Dame]. The first visitation of Adams Lodge was on September 25, 1867. The records do not reveal the name of the Deputy, but state that he
 +
was accompanied by Bros. J. P. Johnson and Joseph Atwood of Provincetown, Mass.
 +
 +
Adams Lodge held its meetings in Universalist Hall, which was rented from the Universalist Society, until March 7, 1877, at which time the hall on the second foor of the Wellfleet Savings Bank building was rented. The records do not show or allude to any building committee, yet on October 17, 1877, the
 +
Lodge held its first meeting in the present Masonic Hall. The hall was rented from the Trustees for $200.00 per year. On March 6, 1878, a square and compass to.ornament the tower of the hall was presented by Brother A. R. Critenden, of Middletown, Conn. The hall was erected by money secured from the sale of 300 shares of stock valued at $10.00 each. For several years in the nineties this stock paid dividends of 50¢ per share. The shares of the Hall stock have with the exception of about ten, either been purchased by the lodge or have been presented by the owners to Adams Lodge. The building is free of debt and is in fairly good condition except for a few new floor beams which the Trustees plan to renew at an early date. A comparison of expense of maintenance is interesting. A tax bill of 1902 shows the building taxes were $14.98. In 1939 the taxes were $142.00.
 +
 +
Adams Lodge was quite prosperous in the fact that the first nine meetings recorded receipts of $1,385.00. Almost every meeting for the first seven years of its existence showed candidates were worked. In December the membership had increased from the 33 members who signed the Charter to 99. The first
 +
honorary member was Joseph Harding. Adams Lodge has had among its membership four D.D.G. Masters, R.W. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersL#LINNELL.2C_OLIVER_H._1849-1932 Oliver H. Linnell] 1893-1894, R.W. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersN#NYE.2C_EVERETT_I._1851-1923 Everett I. Nye] 1917-1918, R.W. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersS#SNOW.2C_HENRY_ALLEN_1875-1946 Henrv A. Snow], 1932-1933, and R.W. [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLCDowns Cyril W. Downs] 1936-1937, a past Master of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Universal Universal] Lodge of Orleans, Mass.
 +
 +
On November 10, 1882 Adams Lodge was visited by Most Worshipful [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLawrence Samuel C. Lawrence]. The purpose of the visit was to acquaint the members of Adams Lodge more fully regarding the "Capitation Tax." A fraternal visit was made by Most Worshipful [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMBenton Everett C. Benton], on Sunday June 29, 1913, at which time he
 +
presented the Lodge with a gavel made from cedar taken from the forest of Lebanon.
 +
 +
The attendance of Lodge meetings has been very good. There are few instances of poorly attended communications. The last few years show a marked increase in attendance in spite of the fact that at present about 45% of the Lodge membership is non-resident. There are about 15 members of the craft residing in Wellfleet, whom we are pleased to receive at oui Communications. These Brothers are members of Lodges in other districts. At the present time the Lodge membership is 90.
 +
 +
Adams Lodge has three trust funds which are for the sole purpose of charity or relief. The Lodge Permanent Charity Fund was established January 16, 1915, by a vote setting aside $400.00 for that purpose. It was stipulated that the principal should be kept intact and only the interest used. This fund now
 +
amounts to $1,834.07 as additions to the principal have been made from time to time. The Anderson Fund became available on September 17, 1928, the amount of $500.00 having been bequeathed to the Lodge by Brother William A. Anderson. This fund was made subject to the same piovisions by vote of the Lodge as the Permanent Charity Fund and now amounts to $602.41. The Linnell Fund was established November 6, 1936. This was a bequest of R.W. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersL#LINNELL.2C_OLIVER_H._1849-1932 Oliver H. Linnell] to the amount of $1,000.00 This fund was made subject to the same provisions as the two other funds. The amount at present is $1,000.00.
 +
 +
Adams Lodge has been able to take care of all calls made upon it for assistance and its records reveal that it was the custom to keep well informed of the needs of families of deceased brothers.
 +
 +
On St. John's Sunday in the year of 1922, Adams Lodge together with the nine Lodges forming the then [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAProvincetown32_1911-1926 32nd Masonic District] attended divine service at the First Congregational Church at Wellfleet. Each Lodge attended as a unitl the service was under the direction of Rev. Brother Walter Yates, Chaplain of Adams Lodge, who addressed an unusually large number of the Brothers. Records unfortunately do not show the details of this outstanding service.
 +
 +
Adams Lodge on March 19, 1921, received the degree team of the "Cable CIub", an organization of Masons connected with the N.Y., N.H. & H. R.R. This was the first of many visits to the Cape of this degree team. The candidate was Brother Theodore B. Williamson, a New Haven Railroad engineer who was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by the team.
 +
 +
Recently the Lodge at a regular communication witnessed the unusual ceremony of a father raising his son and a son raising his father. The Worshipful Master, David M. Francis, raised his father, Brother Alexander A. Francis, and Wor. Bro. Raymond R. Freeman, Sr., raised his son, Bro. Raymond R. Freeman, Jr.
 +
 +
In July 1938, the Lodge received the gift of land now being developed as a parking space from Brother Philip Scott. Donations of filling material and gifts of money have developed a parking space for about 15 cars. The Trustees plan further development in the near future.
 +
 +
Effort is being made to secure photographs of former masters and members of the Lodge that the future may be able to identify individual members. A number of photos have been secured and hung in the Lodge room.
 +
 +
The present membership is intensely interested in the Lodge upkeep, and donations of labor and material materially effect large saving to the Lodge reasury.
 +
 +
The oldest member of Adams Lodge is Brother Ebenezer Cole Paine, who on May 19, 1940, enters his 60th year of membership in the Lodge. Brother Paine resides in Salem, Mass., at 4 Linden St., and is in comparatively good health at the advanced age of 87. The oldest living Past Master, Worshipful Brother Arthur H. Rogers, is the third oldest member of Adams Lodge. The second oldest member is Brother Alvin L. Wiley, who in September of this year will complete 44 years of membership.
 +
 +
Adams Lodge has ever been an important factor in the Town of Wellfleet, its members prominent in their various walks in life. It was considered a distinction to be able to attend public functions of the Lodge by the non-members of the fraternity. The members today are enjoying the fruits of the labors of the members who have passed to the Celestial Lodge above. They builded well. We the living members follow the Masonic example set by them that we may yield in due time to the following generation and present to them a record of Masonic achievement comparable to theirs.
 +
 +
May the tenets of our Institution be transmitted through Adams Lodge pure and unimpaired from generation to generation. May brotherly love prevail and every Moral and Social Virtue cement us.
  
 
=== OTHER ===
 
=== OTHER ===
Line 94: Line 142:
 
=== GRAND LODGE OFFICERS ===
 
=== GRAND LODGE OFFICERS ===
  
 +
* [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLCDowns Cyril W. Downs], DDGM, [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAProvincetown32_1927-2003 District 32 (Provincetown)], 1936, 1937; Senior Grand Warden 1945; '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MANecrologiesAG#DOWNS.2C_CYRIL_WINFRED_1896-1965 N]'''
 
* E. Erik Erikson, DDGM, [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAProvincetown32_1927-2003 District 32 (Provincetown)], 1995, 1996; '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MANecrologiesAG#ERIKSON.2C_EDWARD_ERIK_1920-1998 N]'''
 
* E. Erik Erikson, DDGM, [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAProvincetown32_1927-2003 District 32 (Provincetown)], 1995, 1996; '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MANecrologiesAG#ERIKSON.2C_EDWARD_ERIK_1920-1998 N]'''
 
* [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLCHuntley Charles W. Huntley], DDGM, [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAProvincetown32_1927-2003 District 32 (Provincetown)], 1957, 1958; Senior Grand Warden 1961; '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MANecrologiesHM#HUNTLEY.2C_CHARLES_WILLIAM_1917-1993 N]'''
 
* [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLCHuntley Charles W. Huntley], DDGM, [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAProvincetown32_1927-2003 District 32 (Provincetown)], 1957, 1958; Senior Grand Warden 1961; '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MANecrologiesHM#HUNTLEY.2C_CHARLES_WILLIAM_1917-1993 N]'''

Revision as of 15:54, 25 December 2012

ADAMS LODGE

Location: Wellfleet

Chartered By: Paul Revere (1797)

Chartered By: Charles C. Dame (1866)

Charter Date: 06/13/1797 (no page listed)

Charter Date: 12/12/1866 VII-119

Precedence Date: 12/12/1866

Current Status: Active


NOTES

The original charter was surrendered on 12/12/1821 (III-368); it was restored following a dispensation in December 1865, but the lodge's date of precedence is 1866, not 1797.

See historical notes 1895-82ff, 1940-84ff. (Note: 1895-82 appears to be an error in the card file; there is no mention of this lodge there.)


REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Charter: 1797 not in Proceedings, however
  • Surrender of Charter: 1821
  • Petition for Dispensation: 1865
  • Petition for Charter: 1866

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1940 (75th Anniversary)
  • 1965 (Centenary)
  • 1991 (125th Anniversary)
  • 1997 (200th Anniversary of original lodge)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1871 1877 1916 1947 1950 1954 1958 1966 1970 1974 1978 1985 1992 1998 2010 2011

HISTORY

  • 1940 (75th Anniversary History, 1940-84; see below)
  • 1965 (Centenary History, 1965-200)
  • 1997 (200th Anniversary History, 1997-113)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1940

From Proceedings, Page 1940-84:

by Rt. Wor. Henry A. Snow.

The first pages of the records of the first Adams Lodge are missing and much information of value is lost. The building in which the meetings were held evidently was situated on the site of the present moving picture theatre. It was held by the "Proprietors of Masonic Hall and School Roomr" and in January 1798 consisted of 23 members, one member of which was named as school agent. The byJaws state that $10.75 be charged for the Entered Apprentice Degree, 25¢ for the Fellowcraft Degree, 25¢ for the Master Mason Degree, and $5.00 was assessed for membership. The by-laws also state that the Lodge consist of 40 members and no more. The records however show that there were a much larger number taken into membership. It was an early custom of this Lodge to lend money to its members taking a note for the same. This practice evidently was somewhat unhappy as the by-laws were early amended that in the future the notes of hand were to be signed by two responsible members. Visiting Brethren were assessed 25¢ each. Candidates were from the area Wellfleet to Barnstable. A lack of work was evidenced in 1805 and in 1806; the records note from time to time "a few members met". The Lodge up to June 1809 observed St. John's day every year by a service delivered by a Reverend Brother and followed by a dinner. This communication each year seems to be the outstanding one as recorded. In the list of Lodges under the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Mass., Adams Lodge ranked 37th in seniority and was located in the third district. From 1806 to 1813 the meetings were irregular and ceased to be recorded after 1813. December 12, 1821, Grand Lodge records, "Adams Lodge in the eleventh district has surrendered its charter." January 28, 1823, ten members of the former Lodge met and divided $49.63.

At this point in the records of the Lodge rhe remaining pages of the record book have been cut out. The Lodge from time to time appointed a liquor agent. An excerpt from the records reads, "February 11, 1805, Brother Thomas Higgins Worshipful Master, should buy liquor at Boston, for the hall, viz, brandy, gin, WI rum, Gwine, 5 or 6 gallons of each, and draw the money out of the fund." It is noted that the records in several instances record the Lodge as voting that at banquets, the members will pay for the food, the Lodge paying for the liquors. July the ninth 1804, Brother Samuel Newcomb was voted $5.00 for his Past Master's jewel. Fuel was furnished the Lodge at a cost of $3.00 per year. The rent of the hall paid to the Proprietors of the hall averaged $25.00 per year. July 13th, 1801, it was voted that the Masons in Dennis and towns adjacent be recommended to the Grand Lodge to obtain a Charter for a Lodge to be held in Dennis. The records record no instances of disagreement among the members, unanimity and concord prevailed, the harmony of the meetings was unimpaired. Economic and political reasons seem to be the answer of the discontinuance of the Lodge. At the time of the application of the second Lodge for its Charter, the story exists that if a certain number of Brothers who were former members of the first Lodge could be located, the Charter of the first Lodge would be returned to Adams Lodge and the Lodge would function as never having been discontinued. All but one of the required number were located. After the new Charter had been issued one member was located at Portland, Maine, too late however to take advantage of the offer of Grand Lodge. What a lost opportunity! Today the Lodge would be nearly 145 years in existence instead of 75 years.

The present Adams Lodge was the result of a meeting of Wellfeet members of the Craft for the purpose of establishing a Lodge of Master Masons in Wellfleet, Mass. At this meeting, held November 9, 1865, at the Center School House, it was decided to petition the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Massachusetts for a Dispensation to institute a Lodge of Master Masons in Wellfleet. A nominating committee, consisting of Albert W. Holbrook, Alonzo Hatch and Napthali Rich, presented a list of officers, namely, Napthali Rich, Worshipful Master, Harvey O. Sparrow, and George T. Wyer, Senior and Junior Wardens respectively. The list was accepted and on ballot they were declared elected. It was also voted to name the proposed Lodge, Adams Lodge, that being the name of the Lodge formerly established in Wellfleet. The Petition was presented to the Grand Master and a Dispensation was granted December 14, 1865 to form a Lodge at Wellfleet by Most Worshipful William Parkman. This Dispensation expired at the December communication of Grand Lodge, 1866. The first meeting of Adams was held January 8, 1866. Seven applications for degrees were presented. A committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of thanks to King Hiram's Lodge of Provincetown, for the gift of jewels and working tools. On December 10, 1866 the officers of Adams Lodge were instructed to apply for a Charter. Adams Lodge was constituted January 2, 1867, by Most Worshipful Charles C. Dame. The first visitation of Adams Lodge was on September 25, 1867. The records do not reveal the name of the Deputy, but state that he was accompanied by Bros. J. P. Johnson and Joseph Atwood of Provincetown, Mass.

Adams Lodge held its meetings in Universalist Hall, which was rented from the Universalist Society, until March 7, 1877, at which time the hall on the second foor of the Wellfleet Savings Bank building was rented. The records do not show or allude to any building committee, yet on October 17, 1877, the Lodge held its first meeting in the present Masonic Hall. The hall was rented from the Trustees for $200.00 per year. On March 6, 1878, a square and compass to.ornament the tower of the hall was presented by Brother A. R. Critenden, of Middletown, Conn. The hall was erected by money secured from the sale of 300 shares of stock valued at $10.00 each. For several years in the nineties this stock paid dividends of 50¢ per share. The shares of the Hall stock have with the exception of about ten, either been purchased by the lodge or have been presented by the owners to Adams Lodge. The building is free of debt and is in fairly good condition except for a few new floor beams which the Trustees plan to renew at an early date. A comparison of expense of maintenance is interesting. A tax bill of 1902 shows the building taxes were $14.98. In 1939 the taxes were $142.00.

Adams Lodge was quite prosperous in the fact that the first nine meetings recorded receipts of $1,385.00. Almost every meeting for the first seven years of its existence showed candidates were worked. In December the membership had increased from the 33 members who signed the Charter to 99. The first honorary member was Joseph Harding. Adams Lodge has had among its membership four D.D.G. Masters, R.W. Oliver H. Linnell 1893-1894, R.W. Everett I. Nye 1917-1918, R.W. Henrv A. Snow, 1932-1933, and R.W. Cyril W. Downs 1936-1937, a past Master of Universal Lodge of Orleans, Mass.

On November 10, 1882 Adams Lodge was visited by Most Worshipful Samuel C. Lawrence. The purpose of the visit was to acquaint the members of Adams Lodge more fully regarding the "Capitation Tax." A fraternal visit was made by Most Worshipful Everett C. Benton, on Sunday June 29, 1913, at which time he presented the Lodge with a gavel made from cedar taken from the forest of Lebanon.

The attendance of Lodge meetings has been very good. There are few instances of poorly attended communications. The last few years show a marked increase in attendance in spite of the fact that at present about 45% of the Lodge membership is non-resident. There are about 15 members of the craft residing in Wellfleet, whom we are pleased to receive at oui Communications. These Brothers are members of Lodges in other districts. At the present time the Lodge membership is 90.

Adams Lodge has three trust funds which are for the sole purpose of charity or relief. The Lodge Permanent Charity Fund was established January 16, 1915, by a vote setting aside $400.00 for that purpose. It was stipulated that the principal should be kept intact and only the interest used. This fund now amounts to $1,834.07 as additions to the principal have been made from time to time. The Anderson Fund became available on September 17, 1928, the amount of $500.00 having been bequeathed to the Lodge by Brother William A. Anderson. This fund was made subject to the same piovisions by vote of the Lodge as the Permanent Charity Fund and now amounts to $602.41. The Linnell Fund was established November 6, 1936. This was a bequest of R.W. Oliver H. Linnell to the amount of $1,000.00 This fund was made subject to the same provisions as the two other funds. The amount at present is $1,000.00.

Adams Lodge has been able to take care of all calls made upon it for assistance and its records reveal that it was the custom to keep well informed of the needs of families of deceased brothers.

On St. John's Sunday in the year of 1922, Adams Lodge together with the nine Lodges forming the then 32nd Masonic District attended divine service at the First Congregational Church at Wellfleet. Each Lodge attended as a unitl the service was under the direction of Rev. Brother Walter Yates, Chaplain of Adams Lodge, who addressed an unusually large number of the Brothers. Records unfortunately do not show the details of this outstanding service.

Adams Lodge on March 19, 1921, received the degree team of the "Cable CIub", an organization of Masons connected with the N.Y., N.H. & H. R.R. This was the first of many visits to the Cape of this degree team. The candidate was Brother Theodore B. Williamson, a New Haven Railroad engineer who was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by the team.

Recently the Lodge at a regular communication witnessed the unusual ceremony of a father raising his son and a son raising his father. The Worshipful Master, David M. Francis, raised his father, Brother Alexander A. Francis, and Wor. Bro. Raymond R. Freeman, Sr., raised his son, Bro. Raymond R. Freeman, Jr.

In July 1938, the Lodge received the gift of land now being developed as a parking space from Brother Philip Scott. Donations of filling material and gifts of money have developed a parking space for about 15 cars. The Trustees plan further development in the near future.

Effort is being made to secure photographs of former masters and members of the Lodge that the future may be able to identify individual members. A number of photos have been secured and hung in the Lodge room.

The present membership is intensely interested in the Lodge upkeep, and donations of labor and material materially effect large saving to the Lodge reasury.

The oldest member of Adams Lodge is Brother Ebenezer Cole Paine, who on May 19, 1940, enters his 60th year of membership in the Lodge. Brother Paine resides in Salem, Mass., at 4 Linden St., and is in comparatively good health at the advanced age of 87. The oldest living Past Master, Worshipful Brother Arthur H. Rogers, is the third oldest member of Adams Lodge. The second oldest member is Brother Alvin L. Wiley, who in September of this year will complete 44 years of membership.

Adams Lodge has ever been an important factor in the Town of Wellfleet, its members prominent in their various walks in life. It was considered a distinction to be able to attend public functions of the Lodge by the non-members of the fraternity. The members today are enjoying the fruits of the labors of the members who have passed to the Celestial Lodge above. They builded well. We the living members follow the Masonic example set by them that we may yield in due time to the following generation and present to them a record of Masonic achievement comparable to theirs.

May the tenets of our Institution be transmitted through Adams Lodge pure and unimpaired from generation to generation. May brotherly love prevail and every Moral and Social Virtue cement us.

OTHER

  • 1798 (Correspondence)
  • 1811 (Petition)
  • 1812 (Request for remission)
  • 1820 (Report on delinquency)
  • 1821 (Report on delinquency)
  • 1924 (Participation in Hyannis cornerstone ceremony)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1803: District 3 (South Shore and Cape Cod)

1821: District 11

Charter surrendered 1821

1867: District 15 (Barnstable)

1883: District 28 (Barnstable)

1898': District 28 (Provincetown)

1911: District 32 (Provincetown)

1927: District 32 (Provincetown)

2003: District 21


LINKS

History page based on the 1997 bicentennial history of Adams Lodge. broken link

Massachusetts Lodges