Difference between revisions of "Belmont"

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BELMONT LODGE

Location: Belmont

Chartered By: William Parkman

Charter Date: 03/09/1865 VII-2

Precedence Date: 03/08/1864

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault; merged with Beaver Lodge to form Belmont-Beaver Lodge, 09/15/1980.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition For Dispensation: 1864
• Petition For Charter: 1865
• Petition For Merger: 1980

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1914 (50th Anniversary)
• 1928 (1000th meeting)
• 1939 (75th Anniversary; GL Special Communication)
• 1964 (Centenary; GL Special Communication)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1865 (Parkman; constitution of lodge and installation; see description below)
• 1878 (Welch; installation)
• 1879 (Welch; installation)
• 1880 (Welch; hall dedication)
• 1906 (Blake; hall dedication)
• 1908 (Blake; hall dedication)
• 1909 (Blake; hall dedication)
• 1912 (Flanders)
• 1914 (M. Johnson; 50th Anniversary)
• 1918 (Abbott)
• 1928 ( Simpson; 1000th meeting and installation)
• 1930 (Allen; reception for Deputy Grand Master Louis A. Jones)
• 1936 (H. Dean; reception for Deputy Grand Master Joseph E. Perry)
• 1938 (Perry; 2 visits, Past Masters' Night and Grand Master reception)
• 1939 (Perry; 3 visits, anniversary, Ladies' Night and installation)
• 1940 (Perry; 3 visits, church service, Past Masters' Night and installation)
• 1941 (Schaefer; reception for Senior Grand Warden Earl Taylor)
• 1952 (Roy; reception for Grand Secretary Earl Taylor)
• 1954 (W. Johnson; reception for Senior Grand Warden Herbert Jaynes)
• 1960 (Eaton)
• 1963 (Osgood)
• 1964 (Osgood; Centennial)
• 1967 (Perry, as Acting Grand Master; Past Masters' Night)
• 1969 (Jaynes; Grand Master's reception)
• 1973 (Vose; Fathers and sons night)
• 1975 (Maxwell; installation)
• 1973 (Melanson; 2 visits Hall dedication and merger)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1880 1889 1893 1896 1901 1902 1906 1911 1913 1914 1922 1927 1928 1931 1936 1941 1942 1943 1946 1949 1953 1954 1956 1965 1966 1967

HISTORY

• 1939 (75th Anniversary History, 1939-31)
• 1964 (Centennial History, 1964-22)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1939

From Proceedings, Page 1939-31:

By Bro. Edwin A. Cheney.

The real history of Belmont Lodge covering the seventy-five years of its existence is found in the books of record kept for that purpose in which are included the minutes of the 1134 communications held by the Lodge during that time, so that in a real sense this is not a history, but merely a brief condensation of some of the important and interesting events which have taken place during that time, together with some statistics.

History is "a systematic record of past events especially of those in which man has taken part, such past events in general being considered as material for record." I think unconsciously we think of history as a series of exciting events, but when men associate themselves together as we have for the past seventy-five years for the avowed purpose of learning to subdue our passions, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity it doesn't make for exciting reading. The history of any Masonic Lodge is, therefore, a chronicle of a series of rather prosaic and to the uninitiated uninteresting events. It is a series of meetings at which a ritualistic routine is practiced over and over again in a quiet, continuing, and earnest endeavor to build character.

On March 2, 1864, an informal meeting was held in the vestry of the Unitarian Church in Belmont Center for the purpose of forming a new Lodge. The Unitarian Church at that time was located in Belmont Center diagonally across from its present location or next to the present coal yard of Marcy Brothers at 395 Concord Avenue. The meeting was called to order by Past Master William J. Underwood and there were seven Master Masons present. That the voting for Master was not merely perfunctory is attested by the fact that Brother William B. Bothamly received four votes and Worshipful Brother Underwood three, and William B. Bothamly became the first Master of the Lodge.

It was voted that "Belmont" be adopted as the name of the Lodge and that the meetings be held monthly on Wednesday evenings on or after the full of the moon. Nothing appears in the records as to why the time of the meetings was dependent upon the moon, but it is my opinion that it was because of the desirability of having light for driving to the members' homes after the meetings, because it should be remembered that Belmont at that time was a farming district and the members came and went in horse drawn vehicles. In this connection it is interesting to note that Belmont was incorporated as a Town in 1859 and that its population at that time was approximately 1279. It is also interesting to note that at that time Abraham Lincoln had not been elected President for the second time nor had General Sherman made his famous march through Georgia to the sea, and it was over a year later that Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Grant, and at that time the telephone, phonograph, incandescent lamps, and linotype machines had not been invented and that rapid transit was dependent on horse cars or on the steam railroads.

On March 8, 1864, thirteen Master Masons signed a request for a Dispensation from the Grand Master and on March 23rd a meeting was held in Waverley Hall. Waverley Hall so-called was situated more or less on the site of the present Boston & Maine Station, but at that time was occupied by a store owned by the father of one of Belmont Lodge's Past Masters, Worshipful Brother Clarence A. Russell. This building has since been moved across the street, some of which goes to make up the present building now occupied by the Post Office. A Dispensation was presented empowering the Lodge to work for one year. At this meeting it was voted that the fees for initiation be $20.00; a proposition, which today we call an application, was received for the degrees in the Lodge from Horace A. Homer.

On May 25th, the records disclose that the Lodge closed at nine and one-half P.M. and on the invitation of the Worshipful Master partook of a collation at his home. It is fortunate for the Masters who followed that this custom has not prevailed.

On July 23rd we find that it being a very warm night and an important war meeting occurring on the same evening but a few members were present.

On September 21st an invitation was received from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge to attend the celebration of the laving of the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple.

On November 16th of this same year is recorded the first official visitation of a Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother William Parkman, and on April 5, 1865, the Grand Master again visited the Lodge for the purpose of installing the officers.

It is interesting to note that the records do not disclose another visitation by a Grand Master until 1878, fourteen years later. The records during this time disclose that the members usually partook of a slight collation. It is interesting to note that these collations were usually provided for by subscription rather than out of the general funds of the Lodge.

At this time there appear references in the minutes to letters received from wives and daughters of deceased members expressing appreciation for kindnesses extended by Lodge members to their departed loved ones in their distress and thanking the Lodge for furnishing "watchers." This, of course, is where the familiar alibi "sitting up with a sick friend" originated. Nurses were not employed in those days as they now are and the giving of medicine, keeping heating pads warm and keeping fires going were dependent on friends and fraternal Brothers who really acted as nurses and were known as "watchers."

On June 17, 1867, a visit was paid Belmont Lodge by the officers and members of Pequossette Lodge and an invitation was extended to Belmont Lodge to join with them at a later date. This was the beginning of a long and enduring friendship between these two Lodges.

On April 8, 1868, I note that the records show that the Worshipful Master Alvin M. Fisher presided in the "West." We also find that lager beer was served at some of the meetings and whether this had anything to do with the Worshipful being in the "West" we will never know.

On June 10th "A poor and distressed Worthy was with us who had good testimonials and made a brotherly appeal through the Worshipful Master who ordered the contribution box to be placed on the altar and invited all who could without inconvenience to themselves and family to contribute their mite, whereupon $8.35 was collected and the recipient expressed himself as truly grateful." The next year the meeting night was changed to Thursday and a communication was read from the Grand Lodge regarding swindlers, etc. and said notice was posted upon the blackboard. Printed notices to members in those days were of course out of the question.

On March 17, 1870, it was stated that Waverley Hall had been sold and that a hall was available in Belmont Center in the High School building heated by furnace, lighted with gas, with ten first class horse sheds nearby and it was voted to move the Lodge to this building.

In 1871 the Lodge voted $25.00 for sufferers of the Chicago Fire.

On May 8, 1879, the officers of the Lodge were installed by Most Worshipful Charles A. Welch, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

In 1880 the yearly dues were established at $4.00.

On February 26, 1880, the new hall in the Fitchburg Depot was dedicated and the Grand Master was again present. The minutes disclose that when trains rolled through the station the noise was so great that the work had to be suspended until the train disappeared in the distance. The Fitchburg Depot at that time was located about where the present railroad bridge and underpass now are at Belmont Center.

On February 9, 1882, the records refer to attending a funeral in Cambridge and mention is made of a severe and heavy snowstorm, so severe that scarcely a horse car was able to make the trip through East Cambridge.

Records through this period disclose that a charge was given a candidate after receiving the First Degree, also that it was necessary that a candidate after receiving the Third Degree be elected to membership before actually becoming a member.

In 1889 Belmont Lodge had been in existence twenty-five years and there is nothing in the records to show that any special celebration had occurred. It is interesting to note that during this twenty-five year period the population of the Town had increased to 2098 and that this period was still nearly ten years before the Spanish War and that at that time there had not been invented moving pictures, wireless, airplanes, or gasoline engine driven automobiles.

About 1895 the Beethoven Quartette first began to sing for the Lodge and it has continued singing for Lodge functions, with changes in personnel of course, for forty-three years. This quartette originated in Beth-horon Lodge, but difficulty in pronunciation caused it to be known as Beethoven and it has remained so to this day. In the old days after the quartette got through with their work they would go into the banquet hall and prepare the collation for the members. Present day stewards may wish to make a note of this. The Lodge-room was originally in what is now the banquet hall. In 1920 this quartette sang at five Third Degrees during one month.

In October 1899, the first meeting was held in the new Masonic Hall at our present location and the hall was dedicated by Acting Grand Master Right Worshipful Charles T. Gallagher and at that time the total membership of the Lodge stood at 107.

On February 18, 1900, a special dispensation was granted and the funeral of Joseph L. Frost was held in the Lodge-rooms. Funerals of members since that time have been held on several occasions in the Lodge-rooms.

On April 5, 1900, the officers of Washington Lodge, Manchester, New Hampshire, were present and raised one of their candidates and on May 4th of the same year Belmont Lodge returned the visit and were entertained by officers of Washington Lodge in Manchester by "being taken on a trolley trip over the various lines in the City."

On March 14, 1901 the first Ladies' Night was held.

On July 9, 1901, sixteen members of Belmont Lodge attended dedicatory exercises at Benton Lodge, Guildhall, Vermont, In honor of their former member Colonel Everett C. Benton, who became the first Master of that Lodge and later Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

On March 3, 1904, the 500th Communication of the Lodge took place. The membership at that time was approximately 156.

On March 1, 1906, the Reverend Jesse Coker was installed as Chaplain. He served in that capacity for about thirty years until the time of his death. The records of the Lodge express on many, many occasions the affection he was held in by his Brethren.

On October 20, 1908, the 560th Communication was held to attend the funeral of our first Master, William H. Bothamly, who was also the last surviving Charter member.

In the same year we find the first mention of the proposed Masonic Home in Charlton and the next year a play "As You Like It" was given on the lawn of the Benton Estate under the sponsorship of the Women's Auxiliary and the sum of $681.80 was raised for the Home and the Home was actually dedicated on May 25, 1911.

In 1914 the Lodge had been in existence for fifty years. The minutes disclose no particular celebration, but I find in the Grand Lodge records a brief statement that on March 24, 1914, Most Worshipful Melvin M. Johnson attended the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Belmont Lodge in the Town Hall in Belmont and I am informed by some of the members that an appropriate celebration was observed. The Town had by this time grown in size to a population of 8081 and the membership of the Lodge to 257.

On December 14, 1916, James K. Locke died after having served the Lodge as Treasurer for forty years.

In 1917 Charles H. Houlahan died after serving the Lodge as Secretary for twenty years.

On April 7, 1921, the records show that Brother F. C. Brown presented a pair of boxing gloves to the Lodge; that said boxing troves were such as were first used in the earlier days of Belmont Lodge. They were given as a memento, nicely encased in a box which he had made and which was accepted by the Worshipful Master with thanks. I am ignorant as to what may have happened to that valuable gift or to what particular use it may have been dedicated. Possibly it was used by the Master to keep recalcitrant Brethren in the proper frame of mind.

In 1922 a motion was passed by Belmont Lodge recommending a Dispensation for the purpose of forming Beaver Lodge.

In 1923 Henry F. Arenstrop died after having served the Lodge as Inside Sentinel and Tyler for thirty-six years.

On December 13,1928, the 1000th Communication of Belmont Lodge was held and Most Worshipful Grand Master Frank L. Simpson installed the then Worshipful Brother Joseph Earl Perry as Master of Belmont Lodge.

It took approximately forty years to reach the 500th Communication of Belmont Lodge, but the next five hundred Communications were accomplished in about twenty-four years.

On February 6,1930, Most Worshipful Grand Master Herbert W. Dean made Belmont Lodge an official visit to recognize the appointment of Right Worshipful Louis A. Jones as Deputy Grand Master.

That same year it was voted to loan the Grand Lodge for an indefinite time the chair in the East of the Lodge which had once been the property of Right Worshipful Henry Price, the first Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and that chair now occupies a prominent place in the Museum Room and is nicely encased in glass.

Belmont Lodge has had 51 Masters during its existence, a list of whom is appended to this history.

One of its affiliated members, Most Worshipful Everett C. Benton, became Grand Master. The only Past Master of Belmont Lodge to become Grand Master is the Most Worshipful Joseph Earl Perry, who served Belmont Lodge as Master in 1929 and later became District Deputy Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and in December 1937 became Grand Master.

Four Past Masters of Belmont Lodge have become District Deputy Grand Masters and many distinguished Belmont Past Masters have become officers of the Grand Lodge.

According to my computation during the seventy-five years of the Lodge's history there have been 893 candidates raised. The greatest number of meetings held in any calendar year was in 1920 when there were 52 meetings and 57 candidates raised. The following year, however, there were only 42 communications held and 97 candidates raised. The high point in membership was reached in 1931 with 633 members.

In closing we would pause to pay our tribute to those Brothers who seventy-five years ago started this Lodge. We are prone to think of our own time as one of crises, turmoil, and strife when the faith of man is sorely tried, but we can look back seventy-five years to that little meeting in the Unitarian Church when those good men, at a time when this country was torn by the greatest fratricidal war in history, did have faith and courage enough to start this Lodge and from their example we can well take renewed inspiration and vigor to carry on the work that they so nobly started. So, in memory of you, our departed Brothers, we pause to express the fraternal love and affection we have for your memory.

And now our thoughts go forward to seventy-five years from tonight when a new group of Belmont Lodge members may be meeting to celebrate the 150th anniversary and we pause again to salute you. To you it will be a very different world from that we know today. Inventions will be commonplace then that we cannot contemplate now. You will face problems that seem insurmountable, you will combat "isms" that threaten your very existence, but to you we say "be resolute and of good cheer". We have endeavored to carry on as good citizens and as good Masons in times that seemed to us critical and acute. We have often failed, but each failure has brought forth fresh resolutions to give our best and, God willing, we will succeed in contributing our share to the making of a better world. So, to you we say "pick up the torch that falls from our failing hands and lift it on high, learn well the professions of your Masonic faith and while you keep yourselves circumscribed within those precepts it is impossible that you materially err".

ORGANIZATION 1939

• Stanley G. Russell, Master
• Philip W. Russell, Senior Warden
• John T. Hollis, Junior Warden
• Wor. Samuel Alcock, Treasurer
• Bradley A. McCausland, Secretary
• Rev. Marion F. Ham, Chaplain
• Wor. Allen T. Dresser, Marshal
• Edwin A. Cheney, Senior Deacon
• Henry G. Pratley, Junior Deacon
• Edgar T. Downes, Senior Steward
• Walter F. Johnson, Junior Steward
• Paul C. Whitney, Inside Sentinel
• Walter E. Campbell, Tyler
• George R. Loud, Organist

PAST MASTERS

• William B. Bothamly, 1864 †
• William W. Mead, 1866 †
• Alvin M. Fisher, 1868 †
• George H. Porter, 1869 †
• Henry M. Haines, 1871 †
• John H. Lakin, 1873 †
• Charles E. Chenery, 1875 †
• George H. Chenery, 1877 †
• William M. Nassau, 1878 †
• William Munroe, 1880 †
• John H. Pettinger, 1882 †
• J. Lucius Ellis, 1883 †
• Frank Chandler, 1885 †
• James D. Evans, 1887 †
• William H. Pierce, 1888 †
• Louis Locke, 1891 †
• Charles H. Houlahan, 1893 †
• Edward C. Hatch, 1895 † g
• Gustavus C. Holt, 1897 †
• George C. Flett, 1899 † g
• Irving B. Frost, 1900 †
• Joseph H. Cullis, 1903 †
• William H. Pierce, 1904 †
• Amos E. Hill , 1905 †
• Horace Parker, 1907
• George M. Rogers, 1908 p
• Fred E. Poor, 1910
• Charles W. Sherman, 1912
• Royal T. Brodrick, 1913 † im
• Frederic S. Pry, 1915
• Clarence A. Russell, 1916
• J. Frank Edgar, 1918 †
• Amos L. Taylor, 1920 g
• Alexander E. Corbett, 1921
• Arthur P. Stone, 1922
• J. Watson Flett, 1923 j
• Samuel Alcock, 1924
• William C. Swain, 1925
• Chester R. Thomas, 1926 jm
• Louis A. Jones, 1927 cl
• Wallace S. Blood, 1928
• Joseph Earl Perry, 1929 acgk
• Frank A. Scott, 1930
• Alfred H. Gardner, 1931 n
• Charles C. Small, 1932
• Earl W. Taylor, 1933 fh
• George C. Steil, 1934
• James E. Woods, 1935 †
• Charles E. Flanders, 1936 o
• W. Andrew Hickie, 1937
• Allen T. Dresser, 1938

• a Grand Master
• b Past Grand Master
• c Past Deputy Grand Master
• d Past Senior Grand Warden
• e Past Grand Secretary
• f Grand Marshal
• g Past District Deputy Grand Master
• h Past Senior Grand Deacon
• i Past Grand Sword Bearer
• j Past Grand Standard Bearer
• k Past Judge Advocate
• I Chairman, Board of Trials
• m Past District Deputy Grand Marshal
• n Past District Deputy Grand Secretary
• o Marshal, 34th Lodge oflnstruction
• p Dimitted
• † Deceased

STATISTICS

OTHER

• 1894 (At Boston burial lot dedication, 1894-85)
• 1896 (Cornerstone laying, Waverley Unitarian Church, 1896-276)
• 1899 (Cornerstone laying, Masonic hall, 1899-20)
• 1930 (Donation of the Henry Price chair, 1930-309)

EVENTS

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIV, No. 7, May 1865, p. 199:

BELMONT LODGE. This is the name of a new Lodge recently established in the neighboring village of Belmont. Having worked a year under Dispensation, it was regularly constituted by the M. W. Grand Lodge on the evening of the 5th of April last. Situated in the midst of several flourishing Lodges, and in a small but pleasant village, it will probably never be numerically large, but it is in the hands of intelligent Brethren whose zeal will insure its success. At the close of the ceremonies, the M. W. Grand Master Parkman addressed the members on the importance of their trust they had voluntarily assumed, and on their general duties and obligations as Masons. The following are the officers for the current year :—

• Wm. B. Bothamly, W. M.
• Wm. Mead, S. W.
• Albert Higgins, J. W.
• Jonas B. Chenery, Treas.
• John G. Smith, Sec.
• Geo. W. Long, S. D.
• Merlon Simonds, J. D.
• Horace H. Homer, S. S.
• John Alexander, J. S.—P. M.
• Wm. T. Underwood, Tyler.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Thomas W. Davis, DDGM, District 4 (Cambridge), 1881, 1882; Junior Grand Warden 1883; Recording Grand Secretary
• George C. Flett, DDGM, District 5 (Waltham), 1910, District 5 (Waltham), 1911, 1912; SN
• Edward O. Hatch, DDGM, District 5 (Waltham), 1898, 1899; Memorial
• Herbert H. Jaynes, Junior Grand Steward 1948, Grand Marshal 1951-1953, Senior Grand Warden 1954, Grand Master 1969-1971
• Louis A. Jones, Deputy Grand Master 1930
• George A. Lincoln, DDGM, District 5 (Brighton), 1964, 1965; N
• Joseph Earl Perry, DDGM, District 5 (Brighton), 1933, 1934; Deputy Grand Master 1936; Grand Master 1938-1940
• Paul W. Rolston, DDGM, District 5 (Brighton), 1972, 1973; Senior Grand Warden 1992; Grand Secretary
• Amos L. Taylor, DDGM, District 5 (Waltham), 1928, 1929; N
• Earl W. Taylor, Senior Grand Deacon 1936, Grand Marshal 1938-1940, Senior Grand Warden 1941.
• Paul C. Whitney, DDGM, District 5 (Brighton), 1948, 1949; N

DISTRICTS

1867: District 4 (Cambridge)

1883: District 5 (Newton)

1897: District 5 (Waltham)

1911: District 5 (Waltham)

1927: District 5 (Brighton)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges