Difference between revisions of "BethesdaB"

From MasonicGenealogy
Jump to: navigation, search
(HISTORY)
Line 203: Line 203:
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1944 1944]''' (125th Anniversary History, 1944-44; see below)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1944 1944]''' (125th Anniversary History, 1944-44; see below)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1969 1969]''' (150th Anniversary History, 1969-8)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1969 1969]''' (150th Anniversary History, 1969-8)
 +
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1994 1994]''' (175th Anniversary History, 1994-33)
  
 
==== 125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1944 ====
 
==== 125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1944 ====
Line 302: Line 303:
  
 
In closing, we can say that the prospects for the future look bright; we have about 337 members, very attractive and convenient apartments, and a corps of able and energetic officers, and we feel sure that at some future anniversary period the Lodge will be found to have continued faithful to the Tenets of its Profession.
 
In closing, we can say that the prospects for the future look bright; we have about 337 members, very attractive and convenient apartments, and a corps of able and energetic officers, and we feel sure that at some future anniversary period the Lodge will be found to have continued faithful to the Tenets of its Profession.
 +
 +
==== 175TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1994 ====
 +
 +
''From Proceedings, Page 1994-33:''
 +
 +
The History of Bethesda Lodge legally begins with the first meeting of the Lodge, in the Town Hall of Brighton on March 15, 1819, after the granting of a Charter by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on March 10, 1819.
 +
 +
The Charter was granted to: John Norcross, Josiah Holland, Joseph Warren, Elijah Corey, Ebenezer Fuller, Jr., Ebenezer Whitney, Moses Kingsley, Ebenezer Kimball, Edward Sparhawk, Amos Wright, Stephen Stone, John English, Solomon Rice, Jonathan Livermore, Jr., Francis Moore, Thomas Park, Charles Dana, S.W. Pomery, Timothy Corey and Benjamin Herrick.
 +
 +
In reviewing the early History of Boston and especially of Brighton (which in the early days was known as Little Cambridge), you will find the family names of many of these Charter members. They were the descendants of a hardy breed who had known poverty and privation, they had a strong belief in God, Liberty, and Independence with the fortitude to undergo pain and peril to their beliefs.
 +
 +
Most Worshipful [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMOliver Francis J. Oliver] was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mass. at the time Bethesda Lodge was granted its charter. Most Worshipful Oliver was a very talented and able man. He was graduated from Harvard at the age of 18 and became one of the leading and most respected citizens of the City and State.
 +
 +
A matter of interest that should be noted is that it was during his term of Grand Master that the cornerstone of the Mass. General Hospital was laid by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, so Bethesda Lodge and the Mass General Hospital have something in common.
 +
 +
The records of the Bethesda Lodge A. F. & A. M. begin with the first meeting of the Lodge, which was held after the receipt of notice of the vote of Grand Lodge, on March 10th, 1819, Granting a charter for the Lodge. The first meeting of the Lodge was held on March 18, 1819 in the Town Hall and there were present twelve substantial citizens of the town.
 +
 +
The following extracts are taken from the originals, which have been carefully preserved:
 +
<blockquote>
 +
* "Voted: that a committee of three be chosen to fix and furnish the Hall, and the following Brethren were chosen: Bro. Jonathan Livermore R. W. B., John Norcross, W. B., and Edward Sparhawk, S. W. elect."
 +
* "Voted: that the same committee see what the Jewels can be procured for and report at the next meeting."
 +
* "Voted: to adjourn this meeting to Monday, the 27th. Inst. At Seven O'clock P.M., which night shall be considered our regular night till further regulations are made."
 +
* ''Attest'', Joseph Warren, Sec.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 +
The Regular meeting was held on March 29th in Mason's Hall, with Master-elect John Norcross in the Chair. It was voted that a committee of three be chosen to make the by-laws for the Lodge and that the 24th of June, next, be the day for our installation, and that a committee of one be chosen "to wait on the Grand Master and see if he can come on that day." It was further, "Voted: to have an Altar erected: and "Voted: that the Brethren pay $5.00 each as membership in the Lodge."
 +
 +
The following vote is an indication of the small size of the Lodge and the simplicity of the life of that day, for it was: "Voted: that the Secretary call on all absent Brethren, in the course of the week and collect this fee for membership."
 +
 +
By April 12th there were sixteen members who had paid the fee of $5.00 for membership.
 +
 +
At the meeting on March 29th, 1918, the first candidates, two in number, were proposed for membership in the Lodge and a committee was chosen to inquire into the "character" of the candidates.
 +
 +
At the meeting on April 12th it was voted that the Second Tuesday in the month be the night for the regular Lodge Meeting, and the Second Tuesday of July, annually, be the time for the choice of officers.
 +
 +
At this meeting it was voted that when refreshments were served, every visiting Brother pay 25 cents. This vote has not been obeyed within the memory of this historian, but might have proved of some help to the Treasury, if it had been.
 +
 +
During the early months of the life of the Lodge, meetings were held more often than once a month and at several of them, action was taken on various details of the furnishings of the Lodge, as for instance, at the meeting on April 12, it was voted to paper the hall, and "Bro. C. Kimball gave the paper for it, which was accepted with the thanks of the Lodge. At later meetings it was voted to put in a new floor and procure a stove for it.
 +
 +
At the meeting on April 25th, 1819, the committee previously chosen to investigate the candidates, reported favorably and one was elected and given the First Degree, and paid $15.00. The other candidate was not balloted on until the next meeting and was then accepted.
 +
The earliest records of the Lodge seem to indicate several differences in the procedure of the Lodge, as for instance: business seems to have been done when the Lodge was open on any Degree: a candidate given the Degrees did not thereby become a member of the Lodge, but at some later time, was balloted on for membership and paid a fee of $5.00. The fee paid at initiation did not cover all Degrees as candidates seem to have paid $5.00 when they received the Third Degree.
 +
 +
As candidates were few between the organization in March and the 24th of June, the time at meetings was used to rehearse the Lectures of the several Degrees.
 +
 +
We now come to the first great day in (he history of Bethesda Lodge. We have seen that as early as March 29th, it had been voted the Installation of officers should be on June 24th and at different meetings between March and June, committees had been appointed to arrange for the different features of the day. A committee was appointed to see the Parish Committee of the First Parish Church and ask for the use of the Meeting House for the Installation Ceremony, which was granted; a committee was appointed to secure tickets for the Installation and appoint suitable places for the sale of them. The tickets were sold for $2.00 for men and $1.50 for ladies.
 +
 +
The following description of the exercises at the Installation and the celebration after it, are taken from the records of the Secretary:
 +
Special Meeting, June 24th, 1819. The Feast of Saint John having been celebrated as a suitable occasion for the consecration of Bethesda Lodge and the Installment of Officers, the Lodge convened at their Hall at 9 A. M. and opened on the First Degree, and after a short session, adjourned to attend the Services of the day.
 +
 +
After the arrival of the Grand Lodge and the Preparatory Services of it, a procession was formed under the direction of the Grand Marshall comprising a great number of visiting brethren, officers of various Lodges, Royal Arch Masons, the Encampment of Knights Templar in full dress with their banners displayed, Bethesda Lodge and the Grand Lodge, which moved to the Meeting House, accompanied by a band of music.
 +
 +
After the ceremonies at the church, which included a Hymn, Prayer, Address, Consecration to the memory of the Patron Saint, whose Festival had been celebrated that day, the officers were installed by the Grand Lodge Officers with a very impressive charge given by the M. W. Grand Master, and a second Address.
 +
 +
Appropriate music was interspersed through the whole performance which was witnessed by a large number of spectators and were conducted with a dignity and decorum as pleasurable to the Brethren as honorable to the Institution.
 +
<blockquote>
 +
"On retiring from the Meeting House the procession was again formed, increased by some of the Rev. Clergy and a Brilliant Assemblage of Ladies, and repaired to an elegant bower, where dinner had been prepared in a superior style at which Invited guests enjoyed a feast of reason and a flow of social feelings, while the generous sentiment and lively song enlivened and added zest to the whole entertainment."<br>
 +
<br>
 +
"Nothing of a disorderly nature, no instance of dissension, no act of intemperance occurred to mar the festivities of the day and the company separated at an early hour, with more friendly feelings toward each other and with better impressions in favor of our excellent Institution."<br>
 +
<br>
 +
"The Lodge returned to their Hall about 5 O'clock and closed in order, waiving usual ceremonies."
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 +
At a later meeting fifteen members paid $2.60 each and one visitor paid $1.50 for the music at the Installation.
 +
 +
For some unknown reason, R. W. B. John Norcross, the first Master-elect, failed to function after the earliest meetings, and although attempts were made by committees, to get him to act, he refused and was excused: and at another election the Senior and Junior Wardens-elect were advanced one station, and a new Junior Warden was elected. R. W. B. Norcross was later given a Demit and elected the first Honorary member.
 +
 +
The first visitation of the R. W. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLTPower District Deputy Grand Master] was in November, 1819, with a collation, at which fifteen officers and members and fourteen visitors were present.
 +
 +
The history of the Bethesda Lodge is closely connected with the history of the district in which it was organized and in which it has been active ever since. The district Known as Brighton was first a part of Cambridge, which was settled in 1638. It then included what is now Cambridge, Newton, Brighton, Arlington, Lexington, Billerica and Bedford. Brighton was set off as a separate Parish on April 2, 1779 and was incorporated as the Town of Brighton on February 24, 1807, and was annexed to Boston on January 5,1 874.
 +
 +
Brighton was settled by a number of families who came directly from England or who were of the early descendants of such emigrants, and many of the members of the families of those early settlers were living in Brighton during the early years of the Lodge.
 +
 +
It was just 12 years after Brighton became a town that Bethesda was Chartered. The population of Brighton at that time was 702 "1820 Census."
 +
 +
The Town Hall at that time was situated at the corner of Market and Washington Streets. The Town Hall was located in the Meeting House of the First Parish Church which was erected in 1744.
  
 
=== OTHER ===
 
=== OTHER ===

Revision as of 17:25, 27 December 2014

BETHESDA LODGE (Brighton)

Location: Brighton; Watertown (1983)

Chartered By: Francis J. Oliver

Charter Date: 03/12/1819 III-184

Precedence Date: 03/10/1819

Current Status: Active


PAST MASTERS

Need list of living PMs

  • John Norcross, 1819
  • Francis Moore, 1820-1821
  • Thomas Park, 1822-1823, 1826-1827
  • Joseph Warren, 1824-1825 Mem
  • William R. Champney, 1828-1829
  • B.W. Hobart, 1830
  • Ebenezer Fuller, 1831-1848
  • Amos Wright, 1849
  • E.C. Sparhawk, 1850-1851
  • Sumner Wellman, 1852-1856
  • F. Lyman Winship, 1857-1861
  • Weare D. Wickford, 1862-1863
  • Charles H.B. Breck 1864-1866
  • Eben D. Jones, 1867-1868, 1870
  • W.H. Merritt, 1869
  • Louis H. Adams, 1871-1872
  • George B. Livermore, 1873-1874
  • S.T.P. Martin, 1875-1876
  • Austin Bigelow, 1877-1878
  • S.N. Davenport, 1879-1880
  • Horace E. Marion, 1881-1882
  • J. Wesley Farmer, 1883-1884
  • Otis H. Marion, 1885-1886; SN
  • Joshua J. Duncklee, 1887-1888
  • George W. Warren, 1889-1890
  • Edward C. Scates, 1891-1892
  • H.B. Hazelwood, 1893-1894
  • Leonard W. Ross, 1895-1896
  • William M. Farrington, 1897-1898
  • Frank H. Howe, 1899-1900
  • Daniel W. Hyde, 1901-1902
  • Charles E. Holman, 1903-1904
  • Frank G. Howard, 1905-1906
  • Fred A. Norcross, 1907-1908
  • Charles A. Hunt, 1909-1910
  • James H. Dalton, 1911-1912
  • James Young, Jr., 1913
  • Irving G. Findlay, 1914-1915
  • George E. Brock, 1916
  • Walter V. Batson, 1917-1918
  • Frank J. Perry, 1919
  • Walter A. Lambert, 1920
  • Herbert A. Wilson, 1921
  • William D. Williams, 1922
  • Clarence N. Holman, 1923
  • Rudolph Burrough, 1924; SN
  • George A. Mosher, 1925
  • Ernest L. Porter, 1926
  • H. Wendell Prout, 1927
  • Leon E. Smith, 1928; N
  • Roger W. Conkey, 1929
  • Frank W. Larrabee, 1930
  • Bradford C. Patch, 1931
  • Albert W. Holbrow, 1932
  • George B. Sargent, 1933
  • Roy B. Stewart, 1934
  • Benjamin F. Wood, 1935
  • Everett A. Kelly, 1936
  • Harry N. Girard, 1937
  • Frederick W. Mosher, 1938
  • Frederick W. MacSween, 1939
  • Henry C. Teudesman, 1940
  • William Hall, 1941
  • Henry H. Sullivan, 1942
  • Charles H. Warren, 1943
  • Walter W. Weeden, 1944
  • Chester G. Parsons, 1945
  • Bradley H. Wentworth, 1946
  • William J. Russell, 1947
  • Evan A.G. Anderson, 1948
  • William H. Welch, 1949
  • James W. O'Donnell, Jr., 1950
  • Albert W. Keddy, 1951
  • Leslie McNally, 1952
  • Walter J. Day, 1953
  • John E. Henderson, 1954
  • Albert C. Gaskell, 1955
  • Theodore R. Woodworth, 1956
  • Harry W. Leigh, 1957
  • Brewster A. Thorburn, 1958
  • William J. Ireland, 1959
  • James M. Allan, 1960
  • Kenneth F. Haley, 1961
  • Hugh A. Howes, 1962
  • Richard F. Humber, 1963
  • John A. Collins, 1964
  • Ira L. Enman, 1965
  • Walter T. Watson, 1966
  • John A. Musserian, 1967, 1972; SN
  • Chester S. Miller, 1968, 1974
  • Clifford B. Porter, 1969
  • William M. Tennant, 1970, 1973, 1983
  • Theodore L. Miller, 1971
  • Benjamin L. Todd, 1975
  • James V. Pelusi, 1976, 1991
  • Frank R. Puccino, 1977
  • Alan E. Otash, 1978-1979
  • Harold J. Cunningham, 1980
  • James L. Woodyard, 1981, 1984
  • Leon P. Fontaine, 1982
  • Robert N. Morley, 1985-1986, 1990
  • Donald S. Pacuska, 1987
  • David P. Echevarria, 1988, 1992
  • Ralph S. Dodge, 1989
  • Deeb E. Homsi, Jr., 1993-1994
  • William R. Davis, Jr., 1995-1996, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010-2012
  • Mark F. Sweeney, 1997, 1998, 2000
  • Jonathan A. Cohen, 2002-2004, 2007, 2008
  • Morris H. Rosenthal, 2009

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Charter: 1818

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1894 (75th Anniversary)
  • 1919 (Centenary)
  • 1944 (125th Anniversary)
  • 1969 (150th Anniversary)
  • 1994 (175th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1873 1881 1888 1892 1893 1894 1896 1898 1899 1901 1902 1908 1912 1919 1920 1922 1927 1933 1934 1937 1945 1949 1953 1955 1958 1968 1977 1982 1990

HISTORY

  • 1944 (125th Anniversary History, 1944-44; see below)
  • 1969 (150th Anniversary History, 1969-8)
  • 1994 (175th Anniversary History, 1994-33)

125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1944

From Proceedings, Page 1944-44:

by Wor. Bro. Walter V. Batson.

The records of Bethesda Lodge, A.F. & A.M., begin with the first meeting of the Lodge, which was held after the receipt of notice of the vote of Grand Lodge, on March 10, 1819, granting a charter for the Lodge. The first meeting of the Lodge was held on March 18, 1819, in the Town Hall and there were present twelve substantial citizens of the town.

The following extracts are taken from the originals, which have been carefully preserved:

  • "Voted; that a committee of three be chosen to fix and furnish the Hall, and the following Brethren were chosen; Bro. Jonathan Livermore R.W.B., John Norcross, W.B., Edward Sparhawk, S.W. elect."
  • "Voted; that the same committee see what the Jewels can be procured for and report at the next meeting."
  • "Voted; to adjourn this meeting to Monday, the 27th. Inst, at Seven O'clock P.M., which night shall be considered our regular night till further regulations are made."


Attest, Joseph Warren, Sec.

The regular meeting was held on March 29th in Mason's Hall, with Master-elect John Norcross in the Chair. It was voted that a committee of three be chosen to make the By-laws for the Lodge, that the 24th of June next be the day for our installation, and that a committee of one be chosen "to wait on the Grand Master and" see if he can come on that day." It was further

  • "Voted; to have an Altar erected" and
  • "Voted; that the Brethren pay $5.00 each as membership in the Lodge."

The following vote is an indication of the small size of the Lodge and the simplicity of the life of that day, for it was:

  • "Voted; that the Secretary call on all absent Brethren, in the course of the week and collect this fee for membership."

By April 12th, there were sixteen members who had paid the fee of $5.00 for membership.

At the meeting on March 29, 1819, the first candidates, two in number, were proposed for membership in the Lodge and a committee was chosen to inquire into the "caracter" of the candidates.

At a meeting on April 12th it was voted that the second Tuesday in the month be the night for the regular Lodge meeting, and that the second Tuesday of July, annually, be the time for the choice of officers. At this meeting it was voted that when refreshments were served, every visiting Brother pay twenty-five cents. This vote has not been obeyed within the memory of this Historian, but might have proved of some help to the Treasury if it had been.

During the early months of the life of the Lodge, meetings were held oftener than once a month and at several of them, action was taken on various details of the furnishing of the Lodge, as for instance, at the meeting on April 12th, it was voted to paper the Hall and "Bro. C. Kimball gave the paper for it, which was accepted with the thanks of the Lodge." At later meetings it was voted to put in a new floor and procure a stove.

At the meeting on April 25th, 1819, the committee previously chosen to investigate the candidates, reported favorably and one was elected and given the first degree, paying $15.00. The other candidate was not balloted on until the next meeting and was then accepted.

The earliest records of the Lodge seem to indicate several differences in the procedure of the Lodge, as for instance: business seems to have been done when the Lodge was open on any degree; a candidate given the degrees did not thereby become a member of the Lodge, but at some later time, was balloted on for membership and paid a fee of $5.00. The fee paid at initiation did not cover all degrees as candidates seem to have paid $5.00 when they received the third degree. As candidates were few between the organization in March and the 24th of June, the time at meetings was used to rehearse the lectures of the several degrees.

We now come to the first great day in the history of Bethesda Lodge. We have seen that as early as March 29th, it had been voted the installation of officers should be on June 24th and at different meetings between March and June, committees had been appointed to arrange for the different features of the day. A committee was appointed to see the Parish committee of the First Parish Church and ask for the use of the Meeting House for the installation ceremony, which was granted; a committee was appointed to secure tickets for the installation and appoint suitable places for the sale of them. The tickets were sold for $2.00 for men and $1.50 for ladies.

The following description of the exercises at the installation and the celebration after it, are taken from the records of the Secretary:

Special Meeting, June 24th, 1819. The Feast of St. John having been celebrated as a suitable occasion for the consecration of Bethesda Lodge and the Installment of officers, the Lodge convened at their Hall at 9 A.M. and opened on the First Degree, and after a short session, adjourned to attend the Services of the day.

After the arrival of the Grand Lodge and the Preparatory Services of it, a procession was formed under the direction of the Grand Marshal comprising a great number of visiting Brethren, officers of various Lodges, Royal Arch Masons, the Encampment of Knights Templar in full dress with their banners displayed, Bethesda Lodge and the Grand Lodge, which moved to the Meeting House, accompanied by a band of music.

After the ceremonies at the Church, which included a Hymn, Prayer, Address, Consecration to the memory of the Patron Saint, whose Festival had been celebrated that day, the officers were installed by the Grand Lodge officers, with a very impressive Charge given by the M. W. Grand Master, and a second Address.

Appropriate music was interspersed through the whole performance which was witnessed by large numbers of spectators and were conducted with a dignity and decorum as pleasurable to the Brethren as honorable to the Institution. On retiring from the Meeting House the procession was again formed, increased by some of the Rev. Clergy and a Brilliant Assemblage of Ladies, and repaired to an elegant bower, where dinner had been prepared in a superior stile . . . at which Invited guests enjoyed a feast of reason and a flow of social feelings, while the generous sentiment and lively song enlivened and added zest to the whole entertainment.

Nothing of a disorderly nature, no instance of dissention {sic}, no act of intemperance occurred to mar the festivities of the day and the company separated at an early hour, with more friendly feelings toward each other and with better impressions in favor of our excellent Institution.

The Lodge returned to their Hall about 5 O'clock and closed in order, waiving usual ceremonies.

At a later meeting fifteen members paid $2.60 each and one visitor paid $1.50 for the music at the installation.

For some unknown reason, Wor. B. John Norcross, the first Master-elect, failed to function after the earliest meetings, and although attempts were made by committees to get him to act, he refused and was excused, and at another election the Senior and Junior Wardens-elect were advanced one station and a new Junior Warden was elected. Worshipful Brother Norcross was later given a dimit and elected the first Honorary member.

The first visitation of the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master was in November, 1819, with a collation, at which fifteen officers and members and fourteen visitors were present.

The history of Bethesda Lodge is closely connected with the history of the district in which it was organized and in which it has been active ever since.

The district known as Brighton was first a part of Cambridge, which was settled in 1638. It then included what is now Cambridge, Newton, Brighton, Arlington, Lexington, Billerica and Bedford. Brighton was set off as a separate Parish on April 2, 1779, and was incorporated as the Town of Brighton on February 24, 1802, and was annexed to Boston on January 5, 1874.

Brighton was settled by a number of families who came directly from England or who were of the early descendants of such emigrants, and many of the members of the families of those early settlers were living in Brighton during the early years of the Lodge and some are even now members of it.

As a rule, the Past Masters of Bethesda Lodge have been able men, who have held high positions in the business and Masonic world. Three of them have served the Grand Lodge as Grand Wardens, Worshipful Brothers F. Lyman Winship, Horace E. Marion and William M. Farrington; one is now Grand Treasurer, Worshipful H. Wendell Prout; two have been Deputy Grand Masters, Worshipful Brothers James Young, Jr. and H. Wendell Prout; and seven have been District Deputy Grand Masters, Worshipful Brothers F. Lyman Winship, Horace E. Marion, Otis H. Marion, James Young, Jr., Rudolph Burrough, H. Wendell Prout and our present Secretary, Leon E. Smith, who was appointed this year.

Worshipful Ebenezer Fuller, Jr. who was elected Master in 1831, is much esteemed in Bethesda Lodge, because it was he who kept the Lodge alive during the unhappy period known as the Anti-Masonic Time or Morgan Inquisition. In 1832, the By-Laws were changed so that the Master was to remain in office during the pleasure of the Lodge, instead of for the usual term of two years. During these years the Lodge met regularly and adjourned without doing any business. For eighteen years there were no applications for the degrees.

While many Lodges ceased to function and surrendered their Charters to the Grand Lodge, the officers of Bethesda Lodge did not surrender our Charter and it is one of few Charters which do not bear the endorsement indicating its surrender. The only offspring of Bethesda Lodge was constituted in 1920 and chose for its name that of the valiant Master of Bethesda Lodge, Wor. Ebenezer Fuller, who served through those trying times.

The Secretary's records of the meeting of February 13, 1848, say that: "Wor. Ebenezer Fuller, Jr. delivered a very able and appropriate address on resigning the Chair which he had filled since January 25, 1831."

The records which have been carefully kept by the Secretaries have been carefully preserved and are complete from the first meeting on March 18, 1819, down to the present time. While they give an accurate record of the doings at the meetings, they do not give much of help to an Historian who is trying to present an interesting story of the life of the Lodge.

The Secretaries have been faithful servants of the Lodge and some have held the office for long terms, as for instance the first Secretary, Joseph Warren, who served continuously from the first meeting in 1819 until 1847, except in the two years when he was Master in 1824 and 1825, a period of twenty-six years, and in a later period when Brother William M. Cotton served for twenty-four years.

The Lodge has occupied rooms in various buildings during its long life. It is thought that the first meeting was held in the old Town Hall, then located at the corner of Washington and Market Streets. At the completion of the new Town Hall in 1842, the old building was sold and the Lodge must have changed its place of meeting, but the records make no mention of it. As there were no visitations in 1842 and 1843, it is possible that the Lodge had no meeting place for some time. On January 9, 1844, the records state that: "The Lodge met in the new Hall in the School House, regulated its furniture, put the Lodge to rights and adjourned." That Hall was on the second floor of the High School House on Academy Hill, which was later moved to another location.

It is not known how long the Lodge remained in this building, but an entry in the records states that at the Visitation in October of 1854, "The Company adjourned to the Insurance Office below, for refreshments," which indicates that the Lodge Room must have been in a building which was on Washington Street nearly opposite Market Street, where it is known that they held meetings for many years.

In February of 1860, the Lodge moved to new and more commodious quarters in Dr. Mason's building at the corner of Washington Street and Harvard Place, and its Hall was dedicated by Most Worshipful Grand Master Winslow Lewis and the officers of the Grand Lodge.

In 1870 the Lodge moved to Osborn's Block, where it remained for ten years, until 1880, when it moved again to the Warren Building, where it remained until 1941, when it moved into the present elegant and ample apartments in the building of the First Parish Church, thus completing a cycle, for it was in an early Meeting House of this Society that the Lodge held its first installation of officers in 1819.

Your Historian cannot speak with any knowledge of the lodge-rooms used before 1880, but since 1902 he has been quite familiar with them. In 1902 the lodge-room itself was fairly adequate for the size of the Lodge at that time, but ante-rooms and a room for refreshments were extremely limited. For the simple refreshments, usually served only on evenings when the third degree was worked, there was a tiny room on the floor above the lodge-room floor, and when there was a larger gathering, a slightly larger room on the same floor could be had by special arrangement. There was considerable crowding on certain occasions, such as nights of Visitation by the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master. The lodge-room had no facilities for ventilation and was uncomfortably warm on some of the later meetings of the year.

In 1914 during the administration of Worshipful Irving G. Findlay, the apartments were considerably improved; the upper part of the wall behind the Senior Warden's station was taken out and the former banquet room was made into a balcony with seats which provided much needed seating capacity; the ante-rooms were enlarged and toilet facilities, ventilation and lighting were much improved. By this time attendance at the meetings and the variety of the refreshments became larger so arrangements were made to use the large hall on the same floor as the lodge-room, known as Warren Hall, as the banquet room. These improvements were made under the direction of Worshipful Fred A. Norcross, who was a Past Master of the Lodge and a very competent architect.

In 1898 a Building Fund was started with a deposit of $198.85. This fund grew by gifts of members, by money set aside from the income of the Lodge, and by at least two bequests, one of $500.00 from Brother W. R. Rollins and one of $1000.00 from Worshipful Charles E. Holman, until by 1941 the fund had grown to the sum of $23,577.35, which was sufficient to allow us to take over the Church building of the First Parish Church on Chestnut Hill Avenue and make such repairs and alterations as were needed to adapt the building to our purposes.

For many years the musical part of the ceremonies could not be adequately rendered, since the only musical instrument available was a reed organ, blown by the feet of the organist. In 1920 an Organ Fund was started with contributions of the members, which grew to $2558.65 by 1931, when a modern organ, with electric action and a power driven blower, was installed in the north end of the balcony. The addition of this instrument improved the musical services very much. Among the activities of Masonry, the relief of a distressed, worthy Brother is considered of great importance and Bethesda Lodge has, throughout its life, cheerfully responded to many calls from the Brethren and their families, for the help which we could give.

Various funds have been established by sums set aside from the income of the Lodge, by gifts from members and by bequests from deceased Brothers. The total amount of these funds is $18,830.00, the income from which is available for charity.

In closing, we can say that the prospects for the future look bright; we have about 337 members, very attractive and convenient apartments, and a corps of able and energetic officers, and we feel sure that at some future anniversary period the Lodge will be found to have continued faithful to the Tenets of its Profession.

175TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1994

From Proceedings, Page 1994-33:

The History of Bethesda Lodge legally begins with the first meeting of the Lodge, in the Town Hall of Brighton on March 15, 1819, after the granting of a Charter by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on March 10, 1819.

The Charter was granted to: John Norcross, Josiah Holland, Joseph Warren, Elijah Corey, Ebenezer Fuller, Jr., Ebenezer Whitney, Moses Kingsley, Ebenezer Kimball, Edward Sparhawk, Amos Wright, Stephen Stone, John English, Solomon Rice, Jonathan Livermore, Jr., Francis Moore, Thomas Park, Charles Dana, S.W. Pomery, Timothy Corey and Benjamin Herrick.

In reviewing the early History of Boston and especially of Brighton (which in the early days was known as Little Cambridge), you will find the family names of many of these Charter members. They were the descendants of a hardy breed who had known poverty and privation, they had a strong belief in God, Liberty, and Independence with the fortitude to undergo pain and peril to their beliefs.

Most Worshipful Francis J. Oliver was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mass. at the time Bethesda Lodge was granted its charter. Most Worshipful Oliver was a very talented and able man. He was graduated from Harvard at the age of 18 and became one of the leading and most respected citizens of the City and State.

A matter of interest that should be noted is that it was during his term of Grand Master that the cornerstone of the Mass. General Hospital was laid by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, so Bethesda Lodge and the Mass General Hospital have something in common.

The records of the Bethesda Lodge A. F. & A. M. begin with the first meeting of the Lodge, which was held after the receipt of notice of the vote of Grand Lodge, on March 10th, 1819, Granting a charter for the Lodge. The first meeting of the Lodge was held on March 18, 1819 in the Town Hall and there were present twelve substantial citizens of the town.

The following extracts are taken from the originals, which have been carefully preserved:

  • "Voted: that a committee of three be chosen to fix and furnish the Hall, and the following Brethren were chosen: Bro. Jonathan Livermore R. W. B., John Norcross, W. B., and Edward Sparhawk, S. W. elect."
  • "Voted: that the same committee see what the Jewels can be procured for and report at the next meeting."
  • "Voted: to adjourn this meeting to Monday, the 27th. Inst. At Seven O'clock P.M., which night shall be considered our regular night till further regulations are made."
  • Attest, Joseph Warren, Sec.

The Regular meeting was held on March 29th in Mason's Hall, with Master-elect John Norcross in the Chair. It was voted that a committee of three be chosen to make the by-laws for the Lodge and that the 24th of June, next, be the day for our installation, and that a committee of one be chosen "to wait on the Grand Master and see if he can come on that day." It was further, "Voted: to have an Altar erected: and "Voted: that the Brethren pay $5.00 each as membership in the Lodge."

The following vote is an indication of the small size of the Lodge and the simplicity of the life of that day, for it was: "Voted: that the Secretary call on all absent Brethren, in the course of the week and collect this fee for membership."

By April 12th there were sixteen members who had paid the fee of $5.00 for membership.

At the meeting on March 29th, 1918, the first candidates, two in number, were proposed for membership in the Lodge and a committee was chosen to inquire into the "character" of the candidates.

At the meeting on April 12th it was voted that the Second Tuesday in the month be the night for the regular Lodge Meeting, and the Second Tuesday of July, annually, be the time for the choice of officers.

At this meeting it was voted that when refreshments were served, every visiting Brother pay 25 cents. This vote has not been obeyed within the memory of this historian, but might have proved of some help to the Treasury, if it had been.

During the early months of the life of the Lodge, meetings were held more often than once a month and at several of them, action was taken on various details of the furnishings of the Lodge, as for instance, at the meeting on April 12, it was voted to paper the hall, and "Bro. C. Kimball gave the paper for it, which was accepted with the thanks of the Lodge. At later meetings it was voted to put in a new floor and procure a stove for it.

At the meeting on April 25th, 1819, the committee previously chosen to investigate the candidates, reported favorably and one was elected and given the First Degree, and paid $15.00. The other candidate was not balloted on until the next meeting and was then accepted. The earliest records of the Lodge seem to indicate several differences in the procedure of the Lodge, as for instance: business seems to have been done when the Lodge was open on any Degree: a candidate given the Degrees did not thereby become a member of the Lodge, but at some later time, was balloted on for membership and paid a fee of $5.00. The fee paid at initiation did not cover all Degrees as candidates seem to have paid $5.00 when they received the Third Degree.

As candidates were few between the organization in March and the 24th of June, the time at meetings was used to rehearse the Lectures of the several Degrees.

We now come to the first great day in (he history of Bethesda Lodge. We have seen that as early as March 29th, it had been voted the Installation of officers should be on June 24th and at different meetings between March and June, committees had been appointed to arrange for the different features of the day. A committee was appointed to see the Parish Committee of the First Parish Church and ask for the use of the Meeting House for the Installation Ceremony, which was granted; a committee was appointed to secure tickets for the Installation and appoint suitable places for the sale of them. The tickets were sold for $2.00 for men and $1.50 for ladies.

The following description of the exercises at the Installation and the celebration after it, are taken from the records of the Secretary: Special Meeting, June 24th, 1819. The Feast of Saint John having been celebrated as a suitable occasion for the consecration of Bethesda Lodge and the Installment of Officers, the Lodge convened at their Hall at 9 A. M. and opened on the First Degree, and after a short session, adjourned to attend the Services of the day.

After the arrival of the Grand Lodge and the Preparatory Services of it, a procession was formed under the direction of the Grand Marshall comprising a great number of visiting brethren, officers of various Lodges, Royal Arch Masons, the Encampment of Knights Templar in full dress with their banners displayed, Bethesda Lodge and the Grand Lodge, which moved to the Meeting House, accompanied by a band of music.

After the ceremonies at the church, which included a Hymn, Prayer, Address, Consecration to the memory of the Patron Saint, whose Festival had been celebrated that day, the officers were installed by the Grand Lodge Officers with a very impressive charge given by the M. W. Grand Master, and a second Address.

Appropriate music was interspersed through the whole performance which was witnessed by a large number of spectators and were conducted with a dignity and decorum as pleasurable to the Brethren as honorable to the Institution.

"On retiring from the Meeting House the procession was again formed, increased by some of the Rev. Clergy and a Brilliant Assemblage of Ladies, and repaired to an elegant bower, where dinner had been prepared in a superior style at which Invited guests enjoyed a feast of reason and a flow of social feelings, while the generous sentiment and lively song enlivened and added zest to the whole entertainment."

"Nothing of a disorderly nature, no instance of dissension, no act of intemperance occurred to mar the festivities of the day and the company separated at an early hour, with more friendly feelings toward each other and with better impressions in favor of our excellent Institution."

"The Lodge returned to their Hall about 5 O'clock and closed in order, waiving usual ceremonies."

At a later meeting fifteen members paid $2.60 each and one visitor paid $1.50 for the music at the Installation.

For some unknown reason, R. W. B. John Norcross, the first Master-elect, failed to function after the earliest meetings, and although attempts were made by committees, to get him to act, he refused and was excused: and at another election the Senior and Junior Wardens-elect were advanced one station, and a new Junior Warden was elected. R. W. B. Norcross was later given a Demit and elected the first Honorary member.

The first visitation of the R. W. District Deputy Grand Master was in November, 1819, with a collation, at which fifteen officers and members and fourteen visitors were present.

The history of the Bethesda Lodge is closely connected with the history of the district in which it was organized and in which it has been active ever since. The district Known as Brighton was first a part of Cambridge, which was settled in 1638. It then included what is now Cambridge, Newton, Brighton, Arlington, Lexington, Billerica and Bedford. Brighton was set off as a separate Parish on April 2, 1779 and was incorporated as the Town of Brighton on February 24, 1807, and was annexed to Boston on January 5,1 874.

Brighton was settled by a number of families who came directly from England or who were of the early descendants of such emigrants, and many of the members of the families of those early settlers were living in Brighton during the early years of the Lodge.

It was just 12 years after Brighton became a town that Bethesda was Chartered. The population of Brighton at that time was 702 "1820 Census."

The Town Hall at that time was situated at the corner of Market and Washington Streets. The Town Hall was located in the Meeting House of the First Parish Church which was erected in 1744.

OTHER

  • 1844 (Resolution praising the work of the Lodge)
  • 1896 (Cornerstone laying of Newton Masonic hall)

EVENTS

OFFICER LIST, FEBRUARY 1831

From Boston Masonic Mirror, New Series, Vol. 2, No. 34, February 19, 1831, Page 268:

Officers of Bethesda Lodge, Brighton, Massachusetts.

  • Ebenezer Fuller, Jr. Master
  • Wm. Fletcher, S. Warden
  • James Morse, J. Warden
  • Stephen Stone, Treasurer
  • Joseph Warren, Secretary
  • Thomas J. Leverett, S. Deacon
  • James Fullenton, J. Deacon
  • Rev. Daniel Austin, Chaplain
  • Thomas Park, Marshall
  • Thomas Smallwood, S. Steward
  • Charles Herd, J. Steward
  • Amos Wright, Tyler

INSTALLATION, JANUARY 1847

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. VI, No. 4, February 1847, Page 107:

The officers of Bethesda Lodge, at Brighton, were publicly installed by the Grand Master and his officers, on Tuesday, the 5th January. The Lodge room was well filled by ladies and invited guests. The address was delivered by Rev. Br. Addison Searle, Dist. Dep. Grand Master of the 1st District.

HALL DEDICATION, MARCH 1860

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIX, No. 5, March 1847, Page 139:

This flourishing Lodge having recently fitted up for its exclusive use a neat and spacious hall, with the necessary ante-rooms and other conveniences, the same was dedicated in due form, by the M. W. Grand Lodge, on the 7th ult., in the presence of a large number of Brethren from the neighboring Lodges. The dedicatory ceremonies were performed by Dr. Lewis, G. M., assisted by Dr.J. V. C. Smith, Dep. Grand Master, Wlm. D. Coolidge, J. G. Warden, and other officers of the Grand Lodge. The installation was performed by the R. W. Brother Coolidge in his usual effective manner. After which the Brethren present were addressed by Dr. Smith, who was listened to with great attention and with the highest satisfaction. At the conclusion of these ceremonies the Lodge with its invited guests repaired to the hall below, where an hour was agreeably spent at refreshment.

OFFICER LIST, FEBRUARY 1864

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIII, No. 5, February 1864, Page 160:

Officers of Bethesda Lodge, Brighton.

  • C. H. B. Breck, W. M.
  • E. D. Jones, S. W.
  • W. A. Brabiner, J. W.
  • W. R. Champney, Treas.
  • J. P. C. Winship, Sec.
  • E. H. Chamberlin, S. D.
  • H. H. Blake, J. D.
  • E. A. Snow, S. S.
  • Thos. Hunt, J. S.
  • Rev. James Eastwood, Chap.
  • W. D. Bickford, Mar.
  • L. A. Story, Tyler.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1819: District 1 (Boston and vicinity)

1821: District 9

1835: District 1

1849: District 1

1867: District 4 (Cambridge)

1883: District 5 (Newton)

1897: District 5 (Waltham)

1911: District 5 (Waltham)

1927: District 5 (Brighton)

2003: District 3

2009: District 5

2011: District 3


LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges