Cincinnatus

CINCINNATUS LODGE

Location: New Marlborough; Great Barrington (1800); Sheffield (1852); Great Barrington (1857).

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 12/09/1795 II-79

Precedence Date: 12/09/1795

Current Status: Active

NOTES

According to the web site, the lodge moved to Great Barrington in 1800.

PAST MASTERS

derived from centenary history; likely includes inaccuracies; need full corrected list and living PMs list

Walter Dean, 1795, 1796
Noah Church, 1797
Gideon Canfield, 1798
Dan. Chappell, 1799, 1802, 1803
Joseph Jewitt, 1800, 1801
John Whiting, 1804, 1805; SN
Samuel Rossetter, 1806-1811
William Whiting, 1812, 1824, 1825
possibly in recess 1813-1820?
Charles Taylor, 1821-1822?
Artimus Ray, 1823
Washington Adams, 1826
Hezekiah Lathrop, 1827-1829
DARK 1830-1851
Constant Southworth, 1852, 1856, 1857
William F. Ensign, 1853-1855
George B. Curtis, 1858
Samuel B. Sumner, 1859-1861
Parley A. Russell, 1864
Marcus E. Tobey, 1865
Henry T. Robbins, 1866-1868, 1871-1874, 1888; SN
Willard W. Rice, 1869, 1870
John A. Brewer, 1875, 1876
Charles J. Burget, 1877-1880
Miles T. Huntington, 1881-1883; SN
Charles J. Potter, 1884-1887, 1889, 1890
Charles J. Potter, 1888
John N. Easland, 1891, 1892
Frank W. Adams, 1893
C. H. Booth, 1894-1896
Orlando C. Bidwell, 1897-1900; SN
Frank D. Rowe, 1901
Walter B. Sanford, 1902, 1903, 1904; Mem
William D. Hill, 1905
Fred J. Fuller, 1906-1908
Clarence E. Culver, 1909, 1910
Robert S. Rorrison, 1911, 1912
Alfred W. Wilcoxson, 1913, 1914
George M. Chamberlain, 1915, 1916
Fred A. Van Alstyne, 1917
Clarence I. Sweet, 1918, 1919; N
Joseph P. G. Davis, 1920
A. Chalkley Collins, 1921
Frederick A. Remington, 1922
Wilbur E. Foote, 1923
Leonard R. Miller, 1924
Jesse M. Pushee, 1925
Edward D. Dolby, 1926
Roy W. Kinne, 1927
Henry A. Stevens, 1928
Floyd M. Kline, 1929
Marsh B. Giddings, 1930
James F. Watson, 1931
James L. Sinclair, 1932
George A. Ketchen, 1933
William H. Smith, 1934
William B. Hall, 1935
Courtlandt G. Sparks, 1936
Charles L. Shove, Jr., 1937
Harold E. Grant, 1938
J. Monroe Dewkett, 1939
John W. Taylor, 1940
Philip S. Armstrong, 1941
Karl N. Peiffer, 1942
David B. Grant, 1943
Rutson J. Longdyke, 1944
Arthur B. Kinne, 1945
Zacheus H. Cande, 1946; N
John B. Kreyenbuhl, 1947
Edward C. Durant, 1948
Morton A. Smith, 1949
Milton L. Stevens, 1950
Ransom E. Taggart, 1951
Roderick MacLean, 1952
John H. Leonard, 1953
Lawrence F. Tonini, 1954
William D. Cahill, 1955
R. Gordon Granger, 1956
Kenneth F. Preston, 1957
Robert B. Anderson, 1958
Harold E. Atwood, 1959
Matthew J. Dempsey, Jr., 1960
William L. Kline, 1961
Norman F. Holt, 1962
H. Albert Stevens, 1963
Lawrence Barbieri, 1964
William O. Shuts, 1965
C. Raymond Williams, 1966
John M. Watson, 1967, 1999; PDDGM
Peter S. Brown, 1968
Nathan Horrelly, 1969
Richard E. Watson, 1970
Arthur J. Zwick, 1971
Arthur Stavisky, 1972
Robert A. Hatch, 1973
Harry M. Weiss, 1974
Fred B. Wright, 1975
Donald E. Crandall, 1976
John D. Walther, 1977
Lee R. Barnes, 1978
Ralph P. Macy, 1979
John M. Watson, 1980
Robert Macy, Jr., 1981
Harry Sano, Jr., 1982
Paul W. Marcel, 1983
Thomas B. Thorne, 1984
Thomas R. Dawson, 1985
Raymond A. Wells, 1986
Arthur A. Hyatt, 1987
James N. Parrish, 1988
Lee R. Barnes, 1989
James N. Parrish, 1990
Harry H. Sano, Jr., 1991
Peter S. Brown, 1992; PDDGM
Duke L. Donsbough, 1993
John D. Walther, 1994
Owen E. Wright, 1995
Thomas R. Dawson, 1996
William A. Crowell, 1997, 1998
Courtney K. Turner, 2000
Paul W. Marcel, 2001
Arthur A. Hyatt, Jr., 2002
Lawrence H. Davis, III, 2003, 2004
David M. Weiss, 2005-2007, 2009
Peter D. Saunders, 2008
Courtney K. Turner, 2010, 2011
Melvin T. Cobb, Jr., 2012

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Charter: 1795
Petition for Removal (to Sheffield): 1852
Petition for Removal (to Great Barrington): 1857

ANNIVERSARIES

1896 (Centenary)
1946 (150th Anniversary)
1971 (175th Anniversary)
1995 (200th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1881 (Lawrence)
1896 (Holmes)
1905 (Sanford)
1912 (Benton)
1917 (Abbott)
1919 (Abbott; Ladies' Night)
1928 (Simpson)
1945 (Wragg; reception for Junior Grand Warden James F. Watson)
1946 (Wragg; 150th Anniversary)
1958 (A. Jenkins; Hall dedication)
1971 (Jaynes; 175th Anniversary)
1995 (Lovering; 200th Anniversary, with Evening Star Lodge)
1998 (A. Johnson)
2009 (Pageau)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1858 1870 1886 1887 1891 1913 1922 1927 1928 1929 1931 1933 1950 1958 1959 1961 1980 1994 2003

HISTORY

1896 (Centenary History, 1896-180; see below)
1946 (150th Anniversary History, 1946-156)
1971 (175th Anniversary History, 1971-247)
1971 (200th Anniversary History, 1995-183)

CENTENNIAL HISTORY, JUNE 1896

Presented by Bro. Isaac R. Pridle; from Proceedings, Page 1896-180:

THE FIRST PERIOD

M.W. Grand Master, W. Master and Brethren: The first information that we have in regard to the formation of Cincinnatus Lodge is the entry in the records of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, to the effect that at the Communication held on December 8, 1795, Brother Walter Dean presented a petition signed by himself, Drake Mills, Dan. Chappell, Samuel Carrington, Benj. Pierce, Gideon Canfiekl, Noah Church, Jr., John Shaw, Abel Smith, Hezekiah Kil- born, Reuben Buckman, Obediah Smith, Eliphalet Gregory, Gideon Post, Elihu Grant, Obediah Dickinson, Jr., Stephen Moss, Zebadiah Dean, John Nash, Moses Hopkins and Ebenezer Chadwick, in all twenty-one, seventeen of whom were Master Masons, three Fellow Crafts and one an Entered Apprentice, asking for a charter for a Lodge to be known by the name of Cincinnatus, and to be organized arid to hold meetings in the town of New Marlborough. Why this name (Cincinnatus) was chosen we know not, and the meaning of the name having often been asked, we quote as follows:

"Cincinnatus, Lucius Quinctius, a Roman Consul regarded by the later Romans as the model of antique virtue and simple manners. So far as we can discern his character through the veil of legend, Cincinnatus appears to have been a violent patrician. About 460 years B.C. he was chosen Consul and two years later was made Dictator. When the messengers from Rome came to- tell Cincinnatus of his new dignity they found him ploughing on his small farm. He soon rescued the Consul, Lucius Minucius, who had been defeated and surrounded by the Æqui. We are next informed that after a dictatorship of sixteen clays he returned to his small farm on the Tiber. When eighty years old he was once more made Dictator, 439 B.C., and suppressed a threatened plebeian insurrection." Legend tells more, but enough has been said to give one an understanding of the man whose name we bear, and of all the names given other Lodges in the State none suit us better than Cincinnatus."

This petition was at once granted and Brother Dean was assigned a seat in the Grand Lodge,

The Charter was dated December 9, 1795, and accordingly took rank in the list of Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. This Charter was sighed by the illustrious Paul Revere, then Most Worshipful Grand Master for Massachusetts; William Scollay, Deputy Grand Master; Isaiah Thomas, Senior Grand Warden; Richard Sutton, Junior Grand Warden; William Little, Grand Treasurer; and Daniel Oliver, Grand Secretary. We are proud to-day of the fact that we still have this valuable document in our possession. For one hundred years faithful men have zealously guarded and preserved it, and to-day we proudly exhibit it, yellow with age, but with the signatures as distinct as the clay they were traced.

The Charter of Montgomery Lodge, of Lakeville, Conn., our elder sister by thirteen years, has the signature of Paul Revere, then Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Proud that Lodge which began its work under the authority of that illustrious patriot, soldier, statesman and Mason, and twice proud that Lodge which yet possesses its original Charter with that signature!

The first officers were Walter Dean, W.M., Drake Mills, S.W., and Dan. Chappell, J.W. In just two weeks from the date of the Charter the first meeting was held at the house of Joel Brigham, in New Marlborough, of which we have this record:

At a Meeting of a Number of Free and Accepted Masons of the town of New Marlborough and towns adjacent, Convened at the house of Joel Brigham of Sd. N. Marlboro on December 23rd, 1795. Brother Walter Dean Brought forward his Papers which he Rec'd from Boston in Consequence of a mission from the Sd. Brethren.

Voted that we accept of the Doings of Br. Dean.
Voted that we Present our thanks to Br. Dean for services in obtaining the afores'd Papers.
Voted that Br. Bucknum be agent to Present a letter to Br. Bennington from the Gd. Lodge.
Voted that the first Day, January, 1796, be the Day in which the Lodge in N. Marlboro be Installed.
Voted that a Committee be Sent to Rev. Mr. Catlin to Consult him on the subject if he is willing to have the Brethren meet on Sd. Day in his meeting House and Deliver a Discourse to them. Voted that Brs, Canfield, Mills and Carrington be the Committee to wait on Mr. Catlin. The Committee waited on Mr. Catlin, returned and reported in the affirmative.
Voted that we accept their report.
Voted to Proceed to Elect the remainder of the officers of the Lodge.
Voted that the officers Be Chosen by Nomination.
Voted that brother Canfield be Treasurer; Br. Church, Sect.; Br. Carrington, Sr. Deacon; Br. Dickinson, Jr. Deacon; Bro. Milo Shaw be Sr. Steward; Br. Bucknum, Jur. Steward.
Voted that Br. John Shaw and Br. Abel Smith Be the Tylers for the first of January.
Voted that we meet at Joel Brigham's on January 1st. at 9 o'clock and walk to the Church at one o'clock.

On January 1, 1796, at nine o'clock A.M., the Brethren met as had been agreed upon, and Cincinnatus Lodge was duly installed. At one o'clock P.M. the Brethren marched to the church and Rev. Mr. Catlin gave a discourse. There is no record of this exercise, but at a meeting held June 1st of the same year it was voted " to procure one hundred and fifty copies of this discourse." Our records have this brief entry of the ceremonies of the day: "Cincinnatus Lodge, Duly Installed by Lawful authority on the first day of January, A.D. 1796, and of light 5796, in the Town of New Marlborough." A brief record for so important an occasion. On January 6 the first meeting for work was held, and two candidates were proposed, accepted and initiated that evening. At this meeting all the officers and five other members were present. This meeting was opened at the house of Joel Brigham, then closed to meet at the house of Jarvis Muclge at six in the evening. It was at the latter house that the work was done.

Of the personal history of the charter members we know but little. They mostly came from the vicinity of Hartford and probably some of them took their Masonic degrees there. They were mostly residents of New Marlborough, although the adjacent towns of Great Barrington, Sheffield, Tyringham and Sandisfield furnished several. They were all hardy pioneers and stanch patriots, and when their country needed them they left their ploughs and served faithfully in the Revolutionary wrar, the war of 1812, in the local outbreaks of the Indians, and in the short Shays' rebellion, returning again to their farms and merchandise, thus imitating that noble Roman whose name this Lodge bears.

Walter Dean settled in New Marlborough in 1773, being about twenty-two years of age. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war he joined the regiment of Colonel Patterson, of Lenox, (who was later a prominent Mason), served faithfully as a private until the army was disbanded and returned to New Marlborough. At the opening of the war of 1812, although well along in years, he was one of a company who went from this vicinity to Boston ready for service, but were not called into action. A few years later he moved to Hillsdale, N.Y.

Walter Dean, Gentleman. We find on the records of the town of New Marlborough .his name so affixed to deeds and other documents and that the other names were written as Yeomen. Also we find in the church records that he with others gave very large sums towards the building of a new church in said town, which leads us to suppose that he was one of the leading citizens in the town while he was living there.
Gideon Post was a charter member of Montgomery Lodge, of Lakeville, and was its first Senior Warden. He was also a charter member of the Sheffield Lodge, organized in Sheffield in 1803. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war he was appointed on the Committee of Inspection, his duty being to see that the advice of the Continental Congress be strictly adhered to.
Noah Church took his degrees in Montgomery Lodge in 1790. His father was one of the first settlers of New Marlborough. In September, 1774, he was appointed a town committee to attend a convention of committees from the towns of the county at Stockbridge. On his returning and reporting to the town the doings of that convention, the town immediately voted a town stock of two hundred and twenty-four pounds of powder, six hundred pounds of lead, nine gross good flints, and thirty-five pounds good money.
John Shaw was also the son of one of the first .settlers of New Marlborough, and did excellent service in Colonel Patterson's regiment.
Moses Hopkins was the son of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., who was pastor of the Congregational church in Great Barrington from 1743 to 1769. Moses was a merchant, and for months before the battle of Saratoga gr.eatly assisted Captain Walter Pynchon in collecting large supplies of cartridges, cannon shot, rum, salt and flour, and forwarding the same for the use of the army of General Gates. When the post-office was established in Great Barrington, in 1797, he was appointed and served as the first postmaster.

The remainder of the charter members were residents of the surrounding towns, and the family names are still familiar in Southern Berkshire.

It may be interesting to take a glance at the condition of this portion of the county at the time the Lodge was organized. New Marlborough was strictly an agricultural town, and ranked third in this section for population. In 1800 the population of Sheffield was 2,050, Sandisfield 1,857, New Marlborough 1,848, Great Barrington 1,755 and Tyringham 1,712.

In 1796 there, was no post-office south of Stockbridge except at Sheffield, one being established in Great Barrington in 1797 and one in New Marlborough in 1806. The roads were nothing but rough wood roads through the forest. - The teaming was all done with oxen, and Hudson, N.Y., was the nearest market. There the farmers went once a year and exchanged surplus farm products for necessities they could not raise 'on their farms. Travelling was done on horseback or on foot. A family on their way to church of a Sabbath would have given a picture of the flight into Egypt. Mother and baby riding upon the horse; the able-bodied and unencumbered walking by their side. Loads were moved by teams of oxen, and as much as possible in the winter. Teamsters and travellers put up for the night at the wayside inn. About this time a mortar for West Point passed through this section, twenty yoke of oxen and sixty men being required to drag it over Blandford Hill and through New Marlborough.

We of to-clay can little realize what that journey by Bro. Walter Dean to Boston after this charter meant. It meant days of horseback riding over the rough roads of the forests, in the short clays of December. The return trip appears to have takeu over a week. We find by the records of the Lodge that the money advanced by Bro. Dean for the Charter and expenses to Boston and return amounted to £15 18 shillings, which sum the Lodge reimbursed to him. What did it mean for men to go, under these circumstances, from Great Barrington, Sheffield, and surrounding towns to New Marlborough to attend Lodge?

Previous to the organization of Cincinnatus Lodge there had been'but three Lodges established, in Berkshire county; namely, Franklin Lodge, which met in Cheshire and Lanesborough, alternately six months in each place, Evening Star Lodge, then situated in Lenox, and Berkshire Lodge, which had become extinct and which appears to have been established for a few months in Stockbridge. The only information we have regarding Berkshire Lodge is from the record of a meeting of our Lodge held February 3, 1796, when Bro. Dan. Cbappell was appointed a committee to join a committee from Evening Star Lodge, respecting the jewels and clothing that belonged" to the late Berkshire Lodge, (of which we claim a part), and report at the next regular Lodge night. No report is recorded, but a few months later the Lodge voted to pay Evening Star Lodge $4.87 for the jewels. Presumably this Lodge had the jewels and paid Evening Star this amount for their share.

For the first six months the affairs of the Lodge moved smoothly and the membership was constantly increasing. During this time By-Laws were adopted, then revised and the old ones burned. In fact, for the first four years we find frequent records of the revision of the By-Laws. The first record book was purchased in July, 1796, and cost 10 shillings. This book we have in our possession to-day.

In February, 1796, Bro. John Mix, of Farmington, was invited to New Marlborough to instruct the Brethren in the art and work. In December of the same year a Bible was bought for the use of the Lodge, said Bible costing $2.83.

June 24, 1796, the Lodge observed St. John's day, at which Bro. Child delivered an address, for which he received a vote of thanks and $10, and a copy was requested for the press. . A banquet was served at this gathering. There were present twenty-two members and thirteen, visitors. At this same date the Lodge chose new officers.

On the 27th of December of the same year the festival of St. John the Evangelist was celebrated. There were present twenty members and three visitors. There is no record of the exercises, but as Bro. Church had been selected to deliver an oration, it is presumed that he delivered it.

The members who lived in the towns of Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Egremont, Alford and Sheffield found it very inconvenient to go the long distances necessary to attend Lodge in New Marlborough. Accordingly, early in the first year the question of moving to or holding a part of the meetings in Great Barrington arose. In July it was voted to hold the meetings half the time in Great Barrington and half in New Marlborough as the • Lodge shall hereafter agree. The New Marlborough Brethren, however, did not wish the Lodge moved, and it was voted to move, and then not to move, several times, and it was not. until October, 1797, that a meeting was held in this town.

The first meeting of the Lodge in this town was held in the house of Captain Pinchins. This was situated on the corner of Main and Bridge streets where our Lodge is now held. There were fourteen members and four visitors present. At this meeting a committee was appointed to ■ again revise the By-Laws. The By-Laws were revised about once every three months in those days.

December 27, the festival of St. John the Evangelist was celebrated. Parson Judson received a vote of thanks and $5, presumedly for the delivery of a sermon or oration. The singers were also given a vote of thanks.

John Kellogg made the Lodge a present of $5, for which he was thanked.

The Lodge met in this town for six months. On April 4, 1798, we read of it again in New Marlborough, where it was held in the house of Brother Church, where it met until October, when it a second time moved to Great Barrington to meet at the Brick house. This is the D. J. Coleman house, situated on the Stockbridge road just north of Belcher square . school-house.' The record of this meeting states that a lunch of crackers and biscuits was furnished at a cost of $1.56; also fifty cents was expended for crackers and rum. This year (1798) the festival of St. John the Baptist was celebrated in New Marlborough, and that of St. John the Evangelist in Great Barrington. At the latter, an oration on "Masonry within the Walls," was delivered by Bro. E. Bradley. At this meeting a By-Law was adopted making the hour for closing the Lodge seven P.M. Until November, 1799, the Lodge met on the first Wednesday of each month. The day of meeting was then changed to the Wednesday on or before the full moon, probably for the convenience of those who were obliged to travel a long distance to attend Lodge. The Lodge continued to hold meetings for six months in New Marlborough and six months in Great Barrington until February 5, 1800, when it was voted to move to Great Barrington. This was clone, and the Lodge only held one meeting in New Marlborough after this, namely, May 4, 1803. There appears to have been considerable hard feeling about this action, for at nearly every meeting the matter was brought up. But the Barrington Brethren seem to have been in the majority, for the vote to move back to New Marlborough was always lost. January, 1802, a committee was appointed to " see what the difference was that existed between the. members here and at New Marlborough." Whatever these differences were they were probably amicably settled, for they are never alluded to again. At this time the fees for the degrees were made $15 at initiation, $3 at passing and $3 at raising. Previous to this there had been simply the fee of $15 at initiation.

On October 20, 1802, it was voted to approbate a petition of a number of Brethren, (George Pomeroy and others), in West Stockbridge to the Grand Lodge for a Charter to establish a Lodge in said town, by the name of Constellation, afterwards changed to Wisdom. The only record we have that this petition was granted is a copy of the return sent the Grand Lodge by the District Deputy, This return gives a list of the officers and members of Wisdom Lodge, (Lewis Tyrrell being Worshipful Master), and contains this closing paragraph:

This Lodge was instituted September 6, 1803. The members are zealous in the cause of Masonry, and, I think, will do themselves honor to their profession.
(Signed) Caleb Hyde, D.D.G.M.
Lenox, November 1, 1803.

Several of the Brethren named in that list were former members of Cincinnatus Lodge. This return was found among old papers of Cincinnatus Lodge about four years ago, and returned to the Brethren of Wisdom Lodge, who highly prize it, being the only record they have of their early days, their records having all been destroyed.

May 4, 1803, it was voted that the petition received from Bro. Andrew Andrews, from Sheffield, for a Lodge in that town receive the approbation of Cincinnatus Lodge. This Lodge was instituted May 27, 1804. This Lodge was in existence about twenty-two years, the last meeting being held under date of December 28, 5826, when officers were chosen and installed for the ensuing year and the Lodge closed in due form. We find many of the members were members of Cincinnatus at the same time.

The formation of this Lodge also drew from the membership of Cincinnatus, for nearly all, if not all, the charter members came from this Lodge. Our Bro. Gideon Post, whom we have seen was a charter member of Montgomery Lodge, of Lakeville, in 1782, a charter member of Cincinnatus, 1795, was next a charter member of Sheffield Lodge, in 1804; but with this extensive Masonic record we are unable to trace the source of his Masonic career, or find out anything of his last clays on this globe. In 1808 there was another Lodge formed, the members of Cincinnatus and other Masons residing in Bethlehem, Louclon and Sandisfield uniting. This Lodge was named "Rising Sun," and held meetings for a few years in the towns of Sandisfield and Tyringham. In 1820 they asked permission to sit a part of the time in New Marlborough.

There are many curious entries to be found among the records of the early years. For instance, on January 22, 1812, it was voted that the Stewards provide vessels for the necessary liquors of the Lodge. At the next meeting it was voted to abolish the practice of bringing refreshments into the Lodge; also, that the Stewards return the wine they had procured, and it was returned. At one meeting it was voted to obtain a chest for the safe keeping of the glass and other articles belonging to the Lodge. At another time a trunk was ordered for the security of the money of the Lodge. We find that it was the practice to .loan at the close of each meeting any surplus funds after the bills of the evening were paid. This caused a deal of trouble in settling.

The Lodge, after permanently removing to Great Barrington, met at private houses until September 4, 1806, when the new Hall provided by Bro. Dr. Leavenworth was dedicated, there being present delegations from the neighboring Lodges. This Hall was in the upper story of a block situated where the Burget & Lewis block now stands, and was burned in 1839.

February 2, 1803, the Lodge donated $16 to erect a monument to the memory of Bro. Isaac Nash; and Bro. Samuel Rossetter was appointed a commitlee to meet Bro. B. Pease, from Evening Star Lodge, to determine the monument device, etc.

We find the records of many of these early meetings ending with this formula: "Lodge closed and stand closed until God gives us another opportunity." During these early years every recurring anniversary of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist was appropriately observed. In December, 1800, Evening Star Lodge, of Lenox, was our guest, and the following .June Cincinnatus was entertained at Lenox by Evening Star. The Hudson Lodge frequently exchanged courtesies with Cincinnatus. Several times Cincinnatus arranged for a celebration of the day and gave a general invitation to Lodges and Masons by advertising in the Western Star, a paper published in Stockbridge.

The meetings were held regularly every month until 1813; in that year there being only three Communications. The thirteen Secretaries up to this time performed their duty faithfully, as the full and concise records in the first book will prove. At the election held December 16, 1812, however, there appears to have been a reluctancy on the part of the Brothers to accept this important office. It is reported that five were elected and declined to serve. Finally Bro. David Leavenworth was elected and accepted on condition that he " act only when he pleased."

The W. Masters for the same years and the Initiates received were:

Walter Dean, 1 1/2 years, 23 initiates
Noah Church, 1 1/2 years, 7 initiates
Gideon Canfield, 1 year, 3 initiates
Dan. Chappell, 1 year, 8 initiates
Joseph Jewitt, 2 years, 13 initiates
Dan. Chappell, 2 years, 5 initiates
John Whiting, 2 years, 10 initiates
Samuel Rossetter, 6 years, 39 initiates
William Whiting, 1 year, 1 initiate

making eight different Masters and one hundred and nine Initiates during the first eighteen years.

The records for these first eighteen years are very profitable reading, but time compels us to pass on to the next period. We have given much space to this period, as it shows the struggles and the triumphs of the Lodge and the debt we owe the founders for their devotion and untiring fidelity.

For the time from 1814 to 1824 we have no record, but there were twenty-six signatures to the By-Laws during that time, which would prove that meetings were held in those years, but how frequently we do not know. Ralph Taylor, father of Charles J. Taylor, was made a Mason during that period, and he frequently told his son that his (Ralph's) brother Charles, who was made a Mason in Sheffield Lodge, was Master of Cincinnatus Lodge sometime between 1821 and 1824.

THE SECOND PERIOD

We now enter on the second period of the' existence of our Lodge. On the 9th day of June, 1824, the Lodge met at Bro. Timothy Griswold's; that was the tavern standing where the Berkshire block is now located, and where the Lodge is at present housed. There were fourteen members present and officers were elected for the ensuing year. A committee was appointed to provide a room for the Lodge.

At the next meeting, July 7, the committee reported and it was voted to remove to the house of David Wilcox, which is the old house now standing near the entrance to Kellogg Terrace. There they met on August 4 and September 8. At the latter meeting it was voted to adjourn the Lodge to their new Lodge-room at the store of Van Deuseu & Pynchon. A committee was appointed to remove all the property of the Lodge before the next regular Communication, which was done by Bro. William Whiting, who beforeN the next meeting got the old chest and other property of the Lodge from the store of Charles Taylor, who had the goods placed in his care sometime previous by a vote of the Lodge. Said store was situated where the Long Stone store now is. Brother Whiting with one horse and lumber wagon carted the goods to Van Deusenville, and not a very heavy load either. This store was situated in Van Deusenville east of the bridge and on the north side of the brook. On October 6 they met in their new Hall.

About this time there appears to have been some trouble between the Lodge an4 Grand Lodge, for immediately after this there were several meetings of the Lodge and committees with, the D.D.G.M., Alpheus Harding ; and we infer that the R.W. had called for the charter, for we find that at a meeting held November 3, after some deliberation on the subject of returning the charter to the Grand Lodge, it was voted not to return, but to retain it, and Bros. Ebenezer Pope and Isaac I. Van Deuseu were appointed a committee to wait on D.D.G.M. Harding and acquaint him of the action of the Lodge; also to confer with him upon any subject for the benefit of the Lodge and to pay the dues owing the Grand Lodge. It is recorded that on June 14, 1825, there wras an extra meeting at which two were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, and that the Rev. Mr. Rodgers, a visiting Brother, gratuitously conferred the degree of Union Master Mason on nine Brothers, for which the Lodge tendered him a vote of thanks and a present of two dollars.

On December 26, 1825, D.D.G.M. Edward F. Ensign was present at the celebration of the festival of St. John the Evangelist and installed the newly elected officers. The meetings were held regularly until the beginning of the year 1827, when the attendance began to drop off, and the last meeting recorded in the book was held on March 25, 1828.

A scrap of paper was, however, found among the old papers of the Lodge, with this record: "Lodge met July 20, 1829, pursuant to adjournment. Entered Apprentice's Lodge opened in due form; H. Lathrop, W.M.; W. M. Battell, S.W.; C. Southworth, J.W.; D. . Wilcox, Treasurer pro tern.; I. Seeley, Secretary; J. N. Robins, S, D. ; W, Adams, J.D. ; eight Brothers present. Lodge opened in clue form for the despatch of business. Lodge closed in due form, to be convened on Tuesday."

For years it has been a mystery what the meeting to be convened on Tuesday was for, but a memorandum found within two months among some old papers in the possession of the clerk of the Episcopal church at Van Deusenville reads as follows:

Tuesday, July 21, 1829.

The Masonic procession will organize in the meantime at the house of Mr. Chace, and Masonic procession will move in due form with the Corner Stone in the rear under the conduct of the Master Workman and Master of the Lodge.

This brief memorandum explains the record of the meeting of Monday, the 20th.

We have always known that the corner-stone of the brick chapel at Van Deusenville was laid by this Lodge. There was no record of the service, and even the date could not be fixed until the above-mentioned memorandum was discovered this spring by Rev. Mr. Foxcroft, the present rector at Van Deusenville.

The growth of the parish necessitated a large edifice, and in 1866 the brick chapel was taken clown and the present church edifice erected. At the laying of the corner-stone of the brick edifice by this Lodge, in 1829, in a receptacle prepared for it, was placed a box containing papers and other articles pertinent to the occasion, though of small pecuniary value.

When the structure was taken down, thirty-seven years later, it was expected that much interesting information could be obtained from the contents of the box, but an examination of the corner-stone disclosed, the fact that the box and the relics had disappeared; probably stolen from the stone before the walls were reared thereupon. This was the last meeting of the Lodge in Van Deusenville, and there is no record of another meeting until 1852.

The Masters for this period were: Artimus Ray, June, 1824, to January, 1825; William Whiting, 1825-26; Washington Adams, 1827; and Hezekiak Lathrop from Jan. 1, 1828, as long as meetings were held.

Isaac I. Van Deusen, referred to" many times in the records as "wise Isaac," was Secretary for three years; Ebenezer Pope one year; and Increase Sumner the rest of the time. There were seventeen candidates initiated and St. John's Day celebrated four times.

The furniture, books, jewels and other property of the Lodge were left in the Lodge Hall for a long time, and it is known that the boys of' the neighborhood used to get in at the windows and read the records and dress themselves up with the clothing of the Lodge. The Tyler's sword is now in the possession of J. C. Munson, who has kindly loaned it to us for use to-day. The jewels were lost. The Record Books were saved and have given us the facts for our present history. So ends the second period.

THE THIRD PERIOD

We now come to the third period of the history of our Lodge.

In the spring of 1852 a few old Masons, five in all, met in the Hall used by the local Lodge of Odd Fellows, known as Housatonic Lodge. This Hall was in the upper story of . the Long Stone store, and still remains to-day unchanged. These five men met to take action in regard to reorganizing Cincinnatus Lodge. They were Edward F. Ensign, Constant Southworth, Increase Sumner and Isaac Seeley, all former members of Cincinnatus, and Merritt Van Deusen, a member of Evening Star Lodge. They talked of the advisability of reorganizing, went home, and for days agitated the matter,' and. on the 31st of May,, the same year, met again in the Odd Fellows Hall, and Jared Johnson and Egbert P. Tobey, old Cincinnatus Masons, and Silas Eddy, of Evening Star Lodge, met with them. During the interval between these meetings, Brother Ensign had been busy and had obtained a decree from the Deputy Grand Master authorizing a reorganization of this Lodge. This was read, and the following officers were elected :Edward F. Ensign, W.M. ; Constant Soutbworth, S.W.; Isaac Seeley, J.W. ; Increase Sumner, Secretary. AH those present pledged themselves to Bro. Southworth to share equally in any expense lie may incur for jewels for the Lodge.

The next meeting was held on June 14, 1852, and it was voted that all Brother Masons in good standing be admitted members of this Lodge by signing the By-Laws. At this meeting Bros. Silas Eddy and Clark W. Bryan were admitted to membership on recommendation of Evening Star Lodge. On the 24th of June the officers were installed by D.D.G.M. Franklin Weston.

At a meeting held July 30, 1852, we find a vote of thanks was given Bro. Babcock Bush, late consul and resident at Hong Kong, China, for his magnificent gift of a Bible.

The Lodge, January 22, 1853, met in their new Lodge-room in Sheffield. There is no record of any previous arrangements for this move. The Lodge had been held in Great Barrington seven months, since reorganizing, and it was voted that the thanks of the Lodge and ten dollars be sent to Housatonic Lodge of I.O.O.F. for the use of their rooms during the greater part of that time. At Sheffield the rooms of the Konkapot Lodge of I.O.O.F. were used, for which the sum of three dollars and seventy-five cents per meeting was paid. December 29, 1854, a committee was appointed to procure rooms at Great Barrington, suitable for the Lodge. There appears to have been more ceremony necessary in regard to moving back to this town than there was- in moving away, for on November 23, 1855, the W.M. was instructed to ask a dispensation of the D.D.G.M. to remove this Lodge to Great Barrington. June 5, 1857, a committee was appointed to obtain the assent of the Lodges of Lee and West Stockbridge for the removal of this Lodge to Great Barrington, and on October 2, 1857, the Lodge met again in the Odd Fellows Hall in this town after a sojourn in Sheffield of four years and eight months.

At this time the Odd Fellows Hall was in the third story of the brick building now known as the Miller House. There were twenty-four members present at that meeting. At tbe May meeting, 1858, a committee was appointed to canvass the Lodge in reference to celebrating St. John's Day, June 24, and report at the next meeting. June 4 the committee reported in favor of having such a celebration and their, report was unanimously accepted.

Frederick Whiting, Samuel B. Sumner, William S. Bradley, Andrew L. Hubbell, John N. Robbins, Henry T. Robbins, Isaac B. Prindle, Marcus E. Tobey, Merritt Van Deusen, and Benj. F. Duraut were appointed a committee of arrangements with full power to invite neighboring Lodges and citizens, and to make such preparations for dinner, oration, music, etc , as shall give character and respectability to the occasion. On June 11 the committee reported that they had secured Hon. Bro. Increase Sumner as orator for the celebration, and that Mrs. Elizabeth Pixley, at the Berkshire House, would provide dinner, and that she had agreed to close her bar and not allow ahy spirituous liquor to be sold during the day. (The idea that Masons would want anything to drink!) It was voted that.'the members of Cincinnatus Lodge be requested to bring their ladies to the celebration, and inform other Lodges that their ladies' society would be desirable on the occasion,

On the 24th; the Lodge met at their Hall at 10:30 A.M., and proceeded; to the depot to welcome the visiting Lodges. The officers of Cincinnatus Lodge that day were: Constant Sonthworth, W.M., Ralph Little, S.W.; Horace D. Train, J.W; Egbert. Hollister, Treasurer; Walter W. Hollenbeck, Secretary; Samuel B. Sumner, S.D.; Luke B. Miller, J.D.; Harbron Rogers,. S.S.; Frederick T. Whiting, J.S.; Edward F. Ensign, Auditor; W. S. Bradley, Marshal; Jared Johnson, Tyler. The visiting Lodges and numbers .present were as follows: Friendship, of Copake, 15; Berkshire, of Adams, 13; Mystic, of Pittsfield, 18; Lafayette, of North Adams, 15; Wisdom, of' West Stockbridge, 16; Evening Star, of Lee, 34; from various other Lodges, 14; making 125 visitors. Cincinnatus turned out. 53 members that day, making 178 Masons in line. Headed by a band from Adams they proceeded to these grounds, where the literary exercises were held in the old part of that Hall in your rear, and where we will banquet, at the close of these exercises. After the exercises on these grounds were completed the'line was re-formed and marched to the Berkshire House, where a banquet was served on the lawn under a rustic bower. This, was the only time until to-clay that Cincinnatus has celebrated the festival of St. John since its re-organization, in 1852.

There are few present with us to-day who were with us that day, just thirty-eight years ago. Of our own members there are seven here to-day who participated in the pleasure of of that occasion. They are Isaac B. Prindle, John Gibson, Henry T. Robbins, George Church, Marcus E. Tobey, Andrew L. Hubbell and myself. We remember with gladness the perfect June day. The weather was on its best behavior and the ladies added to the enjoyment of the occasion, as they always do when present with us.

The Lodge, continued to occupy the Odd Fellows' rooms until October 14, 1864, when they took possession of rooms fitted up for them by Bro. Frederick T. Whiting in his new brick block. There we continued to meet until the first of January of this year, when we moved into our present beautiful and commodious quarters in the Berkshire Block, where we hope to remain for many years.

The history of the Lodge since 1860 is familiar to us all and there is no need to review it today. During.the years from '60 to '65 many of our dear Brothers went forth in response to their country's call, some never to return. On our roll of membership will be found the names of many of the prominent men of this section; men whom the world delights to honor, and who are always loyal to Cincinnatus. The Masters, their term of. office, and, the Initiates throughout this last period are as follows:

William F. Ensign, 3 years, 14 initiates
Constance Southworth, 3 years, 29 initiates
George B. Curtis, 1 years, 5 initiates
Samuel B. Sumner, 3 years, 18 initiates
Henry T. Robbins, 10 years, 110 initiates
Parley A. Russell, 1 year, 8 initiates
Marcus E. Tobey, 1 year, 13 initiates
Willard W. Rice, 2 years, 23 initiates
John A. Brewer, 2 years, 13 initiates
Charles J. Burget, 4 years, 15 initiates
Miles T. Huntington, 4 years, 26 initiates
Charles J. Potter, 5 years, 40 initiates
John N. Easland, 2 years, 15 initiates
Frank W. Adams, 1 year, 3 initiates
C. H. Booth, 2 1/2 years, 25 initiates

making in all fifteen Masters and three hundred and fifty-seven Initiates for the forty-four years, and five hundred and six Initiates for the century.

During the past forty-four years the Lodge has had fifteen secretaries, eight of whom served one year each; four, three years each; one, six years; and one for sixteen years.

During the century three members of Cincinnatus Lodge have been honored with the appointment of District Deputy Grand Master — Edward F. Ensign, Henry T. Robbins and Miles T. Huntington, which high office they held with pleasure to themselves and honor to the Grand Lodge.

Brethren'of Cincinnatus Lodge, this, in brief, is the. history of our Lodge for the past one hundred years. The record of the past is closed. What the next one hundred years will bring forth depends upon us. Shall we go on in the same spirit that has actuated the labors of the past? If so, the growth and grandeur of Cincinnatus for the second century is assured.