Columbian

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COLUMBIAN LODGE

Location: Boston

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 06/13/1796 II-84

Precedence Date: 06/13/1795

Current Status: Active

NOTES

Chartered in 1796. This was the first new lodge chartered in Boston after the merger of the two Grand Lodges; in fact, there had been two previous attempts in 1793 and 1794 to obtain a charter for a new Boston lodge that were rejected by the Grand Lodge.

Columbian Lodge is one of several lodges with an extant Revere charter.

MEMBER LIST, 1802

From Vocal Companion and Masonic Register, Boston, 1802, Part II, Page 15:

  • R. W. Amasa Stetson, M.
  • W. Daniel Baxter, S. W.
  • W. Elisha Tower, J. W.
  • Ammi Cutler, Sec.
  • Samuel Stetson, Tr.
  • Thomas Pons, S. D.
  • John Swett, J. D.
  • Samuel Jenks, Steward.
  • Scammell Penniman, Steward.
  • Alexander Davidson, Steward.
  • Ebenezer Mountford, Tiler.

No. of Members, 30.

  • John W. Folsom, P. M.
  • Samuel Jenks, Jr.
  • William V. Lynch
  • Samuel Albree
  • Joseph Kelly
  • Israel Jenkins
  • Eleazer Davidson
  • William Flinn
  • Turner Crooker
  • J. Waters, Jr.
  • William J. McDovell
  • Silas Penniman
  • Elisha Towers
  • William Williams
  • John Perkins
  • Zebina Eastman
  • Warren Ware
  • John Raymond
  • Michael Keane
  • John Murry
  • Oliver Steel
  • Seth H. Moore
  • James S. White

PAST MASTERS

  • Joseph Churchill, 1795-1798
  • John W. Folsom, 1799-1801
  • Amasa Stetson, 1802, 1803
  • Daniel Baxter, 1804-1806, 1809
  • Stephen Bean, 1807, 1808
  • Joseph Jenkins, 1810-1813, 1817, 1818
  • David Moody, 1814
  • Elijah Morse, 1815
  • Benjamin B. Appleton, 1816, 1841
  • Aaron Bean, 1819, 1820
  • Samuel Smith, 1821, 1822
  • Daniel Baxter, Jr., 1823-1825
  • George G. Smith, 1826, 1827, 1829, 1842-1845
  • Joshua B. Flint, 1828, 1830-1833
  • David Tillson, 1834-1836; Mem
  • Ruel Baker, 1837-1840; Mem
  • George M. Thatcher, 1846, 1847
  • Peter C. Jones, 1848, 1849
  • William W. Baker, 1850, 1851
  • William T. Coolidge, 1852, 1853
  • John T. Heard, 1854, 1855
  • William B. Fowle, 1856, 1857
  • Robert L. Robbins, 1858
  • Charles E. Buckingham, 1859, 1860
  • Sylvester Trull, 1861, 1862
  • Henry W. Warren, 1863, 1864
  • John Roundy, 1865
  • Josiah A. Stearns, 1866, 1867
  • William H. Kennard, 1868, 1869
  • George M. Baker, 1870, 1871
  • William T.R. Marvin, 1872, 1873
  • William J. Stevens, 1874-1876
  • Albert A. Folsom, 1877, 1878
  • Frederick Alford, 1879, 1880
  • George A. Gillette, 1881, 1882
  • Walter M. Cameron, 1883, 1884
  • E. Bentley Young, 1885, 1886; Mem
  • Albert A. Hall, 1887, 1888
  • J. George Cooper, 1889, 1890
  • Isaac H. Locke, 1891, 1892
  • William White, 1893, 1894; SN
  • J. Foster Bush, 1895, 1896
  • Joseph S. Kendall, 1897, 1898
  • Frank O. Guild, 1899, 1900
  • Moses C. Plummer, 1901, 1902
  • William M. Olin, 1903, 1904
  • James E. Brown, 1905
  • Leon M. Abbott, 1906
  • Thornton D. Appollonio, 1908, 1909
  • W. Clifton Jones, 1910, 1911
  • George J. Prescott, 1912, 1913
  • Howard M. Fletcher, 1914, 1915; SN
  • Franklin C. Jillson, 1916, 1917
  • Elmer C. Read, 1918, 1919
  • George L. Willey, 1920, 1921
  • Ralph C. Blocksom, 1922, 1923
  • George R. Marvin, 1924, 1925
  • Herbert F. Hartwell, 1926, 1927
  • Robert C. Jamieson, 1928, 1929
  • Carl C. Childs, 1930, 1931
  • Elias Field, 1932, 1933
  • George F. Hatch, 1934, 1935
  • J. Frederick Mann, 1936, 1937
  • Walter G. Carlisle, 1938, 1939
  • Leslie D. Martin, 1940, 1941
  • Adam O. Hofling, 1942, 1943; N
  • Ethelbert V. Grabill, 1944, 1945
  • Arthur Anderson, 1946, 1947
  • Donald W. Vose, 1948, 1949; Mem
  • Herman A. Osgood, 1950, 1951
  • Bernhard Matthei, 1952, 1953
  • Burton J. Dillion, 1958, 1959; N
  • Leland C. Richardson, 1960, 1961; N
  • Theodore W. Dearborn, Jr., 1962, 1963
  • William D. Boyle, 1964, 1965
  • Robert E. Black, 1966, 1967
  • Charles L. Young, 1968, 1969
  • Graves D. Hewitt, 1970, 1971
  • Richard K. Paul, 1972, 1973
  • F. Weston Prior, 1974, 1975
  • Royal V. Roberts, 1976, 1977
  • Chester A. Abbey, 1978, 1979
  • Gerard C. McDonough, 1980, 1981
  • Russell P. Mead, 1982, 1983
  • D. James Phillips, 1984, 1985; SN
  • Richard M. Merrill, 1986, 1987
  • George A. Harris, III, 1988, 1989, 2002, 2003
  • Harris T. Luscomb, III, 1990, 1991
  • Michael L. Smith, 1992, 1993
  • Michael A. Sandberg, 1994, 1995; Presiding DDGM
  • Nicky J. Ingaciola, 1996, 1997
  • Christopher A. Mamakos, 1998, 1999
  • Theodore P. Avtges, 2000, 2001
  • Robert E. Heruska, 2004, 2005
  • Richard A. Smith, 2006, 2007
  • Callum J. F. Maclean, 2008, 2009
  • Jacques R. Lucchesi, 2010, 2011
  • Ronald T. Doucette, 2012

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1795
  • Petition for Charter: 1796

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1895 (Centenary)
  • 1945 (150th Anniversary)
  • 1970 (175th Anniversary)
  • 1995 (200th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1854 1871 1874 1881 1883 1885 1887 1889 1891 1894 1897 1900 1901 1908 1913 1918 1920 1921 1923 1929 1938 1944 1945 1946 1954 1970 1976 1977 1982 1986 1994 2007 2010

HISTORY

  • 1945 (150th Anniversary History, 1945-186)
  • 1970 (175th Anniversary History, 1970-288)
  • 1995 (200th Anniversary History, 1995-129; see below)

200TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1995

From Proceedings, Page 1995-129:

We have no record in the minutes of Columbian during the year 1845 of any celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the granting of the dispensation and the First Meeting, but M. W. John Trull Heard, Master of Columbian in 1854 and 1855 and Grand Master of Massachusetts in 1857-59, personally put together a monumental history and a compendium of facts about our Lodge, a copy of which was distributed to the membership on February 7, 1856, in book form. This extraordinary piece of effort has been the source of our knowledge of the early days of our Lodge.

The Lodge also distributed to all members an elaborate account of the 1895 Centennial celebration, the church service and the banquet in an attractive bound volume and, just prior to that, put out a smaller bound volume describing the exercises at the consecration of the burial lot in Mount Auburn Cemetery which took place in June 1892.

In June of 1917, the Lodge issued in leaflet form a brief summary of Columbian's history between 1795 and 1895 written by R. W. William T. R. Marvin. The 125th Anniversary of Columbian Lodge was observed by a visit from M. W. Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master, and his Suite. Wor. George J. Prescott acted as Historian, and the details of the affair are set forth in the minutes of the June 3, 1920, meeting of the Lodge.

The 150th Anniversary occurred during the administration of R. W. Ethelbert V. Grabill, who built the celebration around a reception, dinner and pageant in the Boston Temple on Thursday, June 7, 1945. The pageant and dialogue, composed by R. W. Bro. Grabill, portrayed "The Influence of Masonry in the History of Our Nation and Masonry's Opportunity in the World Order". It contained four scenes:

  • Scene I - At Valley Forge
  • Scene II - At the Home of Benjamin Franklin
  • Scene III - In a Sub-Committee Room of the U.S. Senate
  • Scene IV - Rising Sun of Peace

The script, giving the dialogues, is probably in the papers of our late Bro. Grabill, but the Scenes and the Dramatis Personae indicate that Bro. Grabill got his inspiration from the 20th Degree (Master Ad Vitam) of the Massachusetts Consistory.

Columbian Lodge celebrated its 175th Anniversary on June 4, 1970. The Program consisted of a banquet, a Visitation by Most Worshipful Herbert H. Jaynes, an historical paper covering the last 25 years, 1945 to 1970, in the life of the Lodge, and the presentation to the Grand Lodge of the Apron and Sash worn by one of the members of Columbian at the laying of the cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument on June 17, 1825.

Everyone who has belonged, belongs now, and will belong to Columbian Lodge, is the possessor of a goodly heritage. It is the 4th oldest Lodge in the Boston First District, which contains the two oldest Lodges in the Massachusetts Jurisdiction - St. John's founded in 1733 and The Lodge of Saint Andrew founded in 1756.

Columbian Lodge came into being through a Dispensation and Charter issued by the (United) Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and signed by Paul Revere in the first year of his three-year term, that is in June 1795. He was Grand Master in 1795-96-97. Prior to 1792 there had been three Grand Lodges:

  • St. John (Provincial) Grand Lodge 1733-1792
  • Massachusetts (Provincial) Grand Lodge 1769-1777
  • Massachusetts (Independent) Grand Lodge 1777-1792

M. W. Paul Revere was made a Mason in the Lodge of Saint Andrew September 4, 1760, in which he served as Deacon, Secretary, and Senior Warden. He was its Presiding Master in 1770 and 1771, 1777 through 1779 and 1780 through 1782. He was also Master of Rising States Lodge (long since dissolved) in 1784 and 1791 and Treasurer in 1785. He was Junior Warden of the Royal Arch Lodge out of which grew Saint Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter. In the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, he was its first Senior Grand Deacon.

Paul Revere was a member of Massachusetts (Independent) Grand Lodge, having served as Senior Grand Deacon in 1769; Junior Grand Warden in 1777-78-79; and Deputy Grand Master in 1784-85 and again in 1791 -92. The St. John (Provincial) Grand Lodge and the Massachusetts (Independent) Grand Lodge united in March 1792, to form the present Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Paul Revere being the second Grand Master. It was at this time (1792) that the numbering of lodges was discontinued.

He died on May 10, 1818, in his 84th year at his home which is still preserved at 19 North Square, Boston. His outstanding Masonic career is very dear to us and makes The Lodge of Saint Andrew particularly almost a cousin to Columbian.

Most Worshipful Brother Revere's Administration took place during a period of great Masonic growth and activity. His name is on the Charters of the following particular Lodges beginning with 1795:

This makes 19 in all, and the locations mentioned show how our forbears were branching out from Boston, then a town of around 20,000 persons, and establishing in the surrounding country, charming towns, and prosperous communities, with which we are all familiar and in which many of our members have lived and now live.

HOW COLUMBIAN LODGE GOT ITS NAME

The origin of the name and the formation of the group who called themselves "The Columbian Society of Master Masons" are not known for sure, though a great deal has been written about them. It is quite possible that their immediate concern was along benevolent and social lines and their ultimate, the formation of a lodge, their own lodge, to which they could all belong. R. W. W. T. R. Marvin, in his historical address at the 100th Anniversary Banquet in 1895 (page 45), refers to the "Columbian Centinel". Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison, in his recent biography of Harrison Gray Otis 1765-1848 The Urbane Federalist, states: "The Columbian Centinel, oldest and most respectable of the Boston Federalist press, promoted Lowell's scheme" and etc. This was in 1814 just before the Hartford Convention at which the Federalists of Massachusetts and Connecticut advocated war with France and threatened to secede from the Union.

After the Revolution, Columbia and Uncle Sam became popular representations of our country. Columbia the Gem of the Ocean became a popular song and Uncle Sam in his plug hat, cutaway and striped trousers are familiar to you all. It is likely, therefore, that our forebears in Columbian chose a popular name to attach themselves to, and that they directed their publicity to the Columbian Centinel, which we can assume was a powerful Boston newspaper and a local namesake.

The first mention of the Columbians appears around 1792. They formed a committee which petitioned unsuccessfully for a charter in 1794 which indicates that their prime objective was the formation of a new lodge. This they received on their second try in 1795 and, having been instrumental in forming our Lodge and giving it its name, they gradually passed out of existence and nothing was heard of them after 1807. However, regardless of our conjecture, since there are few written traces of their history, we are grateful to them as the founders of our Columbian, because if they had not been successful in their efforts, we would not be here today.

Since the social side of Masonry was considered an important adjunct to lodge activities, the Columbians probably transferred to Columbian itself, since the latter had a hall of its own to which the members repaired after the lodge meeting was closed. In the old days, the lodges met in the evening, sodalities on Saturdays started work around seven, handled two, sometimes three degrees, and closed around ten.

The first public appearance of Columbian Lodge was at the laying of the cornerstone of the State House July 4, 1795, which was conducted with brilliant Masonic ceremony before an enormous throng of prominent military and civilian citizens. A similarly large and impressive public appearance of Columbian took place on February 11, 1800, when the funeral obsequies of George Washington were solemnized by the Fraternity under the direction of the Grand Lodge. A large procession participated, not by the Lodges as such, but by the Officers of the Lodges as individuals, each one's place being in accordance with his rank, and started at the Old State House where the General a few years before had reviewed the citizens of Boston while President, passed through the principle streets to the Old South Meeting House for the Eulogy, and reforming thence to King's Chapel where the funeral oration was delivered.

Is there anything which could more vividly portray the Boston 161 years ago and make us a part of that event than our ability to walk over the very same route and see these very same buildings, still in use everyday, just as they were in 1800?

The last occasion when our Lodge made public procession was on June 14,1892, when it dedicated our beautiful burial lot in Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Our Lodge had a banner, as did others, when in parades. Ours was white with its motto, Semper Ubique - "always everywhere" - in blue.

Our Lodge, and the other Lodges in the Boston District, met in a number of buildings and locations in central Boston, and we generally followed the Grand Lodge in its various moves. Most of the changes in location were caused by fires which resulted from the lack of fire resistant materials and construction, poor fire fighting equipment and low water pressure.

The Grand Lodge and Columbian have been in the same Temple since 1899 - for 62 years, and the longest period of time in the history of the Grand Lodge.

A detailed description of the halls in which Columbian has met starts with:

  • Concert Hall on Court Street. The Long Room in the Green Dragon Tavern on Union Street between Hanover Street and Haymarket Square
  • Columbian Hall and Mason's Hall in Market Square near Faneuil Hall
  • The Exchange Coffee House on State and Congress Streets
  • The Old State House
  • Washington Hall
  • The Old Masonic Temple which was at the corner of Tremont Street and Temple Place where the R. H. Stearns building now stands
  • Nassau Hall
  • Winthrop House
  • Thorndike Hall
  • and our present one here at the corner of Tremont and Boylston Streets
FILE ON THE JEWELS MADE BY PAUL REVERE

On April 21, 1967, Mrs. Muriel D. Taylor, Librarian, wrote to our Brother Secretary, Bill Howe, as follows:

"Dear Mr. Howe:

We are trying to compile for our records a list of all the Constituent Lodges whose Jewels were made by Paul Revere. It has been suggested that the name of your Lodge be included on that list.

Will you please let me know at your earliest convenience whether or not Paul Revere made your Lodge Jewels. Perhaps you have other Revere items. If you know of any other Lodge whose Jewels were made by Paul Revere, we should like to be informed. In short, whatever information you can give us on the subject will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

(signed) Muriel D. Taylor, Librarian"

On September 13, 1967 the Lodge historian wrote to Brother Howe as follows:

"Dear Mr. Howe:

This refers to Mrs. Taylor's letter of April 21st inquiring if our jewels had been made by M .W. Paul Revere. I am happy to say that this celebrated craftsman did fashion our original jewels. The order was for jewels suitable for th«e first ten Officers of the Lodge which we assume would be:

  • Wor. Master
  • Senior Warden
  • Junior Warden
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Senior Deacon
  • Junior Deacon
  • Senior Steward
  • Junior Steward
  • Tyler


The Lodge paid him in 1795, eight pounds 12 shillings and six-pence which, taken at $5.00 to the pound, figures around $40.00. We still have the bill somewhere but the original jewels, in 1810, for some unknown reason, were melted down to be replaced by others which lasted for 54 years until the fire which completely destroyed the Boston Masonic Temple and all of its contents on April 25, 1864..."
It is the intention of the present administration to examine all of the records in storage having to do with gifts, bequests and evidences of property owned by the Lodge, and we may possibly be fortunate enough to run across the bill in question which, if found, could be added to the extensive Revere memorabilia built up by the Grand Lodge.

We do not know exactly what the work "jewels" refers to-whether the Master's jewel, Past Master's jewel, the emblem for each station, the apron, the collar, the rods and baton, or all together. The 1895 Centennial Volume states categorically that the jewels were made of silver. Today they would be worth their weight in gold, as is the original Paul Revere sterling silver liberty bowl, of which thousands of replicas have been made. It is owned by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts which paid $56,000 for it in 1949. Revere died in 1818 in his 84th year so that he was probably the artificer of the second set of jewels as well as the first."

"EUREKA"

The Paul Revere receipt of Jewels made for Columbian Lodge in 1795, has been found! The receipt is presently in the Museum of our National Heritage, donated to the Museum by Mrs. Godfrey S. Tompkins of Weymouth, Massachusetts, in conjunction with Columbian Lodge A.F.& A.M., Boston, MA.

THE TROWEL USED AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNERSTONE OF BUNKER HILL MONUMENT

From Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for year 1963.

ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS
OF PRESENTATION OF TROWEL
USED AT LAYING OF CORNER STONE
OF BUNKER HILL MONUMENT

At a Regular Communication of Columbian Lodge on March 7, 1963, attended by the Most Worshipful Grand Master and his Suite of Officers, Brother Collins Graham, Marshal of Columbian lodge, addressed the Brethren as follows:

"Most Worshipful Grand Master, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, and Members of your Suite, and Worshipful Master:

The cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument was laid before an immense throng of citizens and Masons on June 17, 1825, during the administration of Most Worshipful John Abbot of Westford, who was Grand Master in 1824, 1825 and 1826 and again in 1834; and an absorbing description of the meeting is set forth in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge for the year 1825.

At 8 o'clock in the morning the Grand Lodge was opened in Ample Form, and after the introduction to the Most Worshipful Grand Master of a very large Suite, including five Past Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Brother Marquis of Lafayette and the presiding officers of the Grand Institutions in New England, a procession was formed on Boston Common, where it was joined by a large procession of military and civilian groups, and at 9 o'clock all marched over to Charlestown. Time prevents me from describing the details of this great event. However, at 10 o'clock, in keeping with the beautiful and dignified ritual of the Craft, in full form, the Grand Master, assisted by his Officers, laid the first trowel of cement, then handed it to Right Worshipful Brother Lafayette, who applied the second trowel of cement. Then followed what the public records of the day described as a magnificent oration by Mr. Daniel Webster, and finally an outdoor luncheon on the adjoining grounds was served to everyone present.

The silver trowel used on this great occasion came into the possession of Brother and Reverend George Jarvis Prescott, Master of Columbian Lodge in 1912-1913, from the heirs of Right Worshipful B. B. Appleton; and Worshipful Brother Prescott presented it to his own Columbian Lodge in 1912.

The inscription on the reverse side reads: "Trowel used by General Lafayette in laying the cornerstone of Bunker Hill Monument. Procured from heirs of Rt. Wor. B.B. Appleton and presented to Columbian Lodge by George J. Prescott, W. M. 1912." The top side is blank, excepting for a filigreed, or tessellated border. The handle is made of ivory and the blade of silver.

June 17, 1825

Memorandum on the Silver Trowel used by the Marquis of Lafayette at the Laying of the Cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown, Massachusetts.

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, was designed and built to safeguard the Washington relics in the possession of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 and to be the national monument of American Masons. The cornerstone was laid on November 1, 1923, with Presidents Calvin Coolidge and William Howard Taft officiating in the exercises, and the building was dedicated on May 12, 1932, with President Hoover assisting.

When the bronze statue of George Washington in the Great Hall was unveiled on February 22, 1950, President Truman, Past Grand Master of Missouri, participated in the program.

The Memorial Hall contains 2 murals and 6 stained glass windows which honor great Masons all closely associated with General Washington in the War of Independence. Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, Marquis of Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, General Joseph Warren, and General Mordecai Gist.

Columbian Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Boston, instituted in June of 1795 by Most Worshipful Paul Revere, Grand Master of Massachusetts, and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, are interested in windows 3 and 5, that is, General Lafayette and General Warren, particularly the former and the trowel which he holds in his hand.

Here we quote from the brochure issued by the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association:

"The General Lafayette Window is of Lafayette wearing the uniform of an American officer and holding the silver trowel used in the cornerstone laying of the Bunker Hill Monument. The smaller panels show Lafayette presenting key of the Bastille to Alexandria-Washington Lodge, February 21, 1825, receiving wound at Battle of Brandywine, disguised as a post boy, laying cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument, the Grandson of Benjamin Franklin presenting the sword authorized by the Congress as a gift from the United States for service, and Lafayette and Washington meeting when Lafayette brought promise of aid from France in 1778."

When the stained glass windows were installed, no one in Washington or in Boston knew the whereabouts of the famous trowel used at the laying of the cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument on June 17, 1825. It was originally in the custody of the Appleton Family, who presented it to Columbian in 1912. Columbian possessed it from that date until March 7, 1963, when the Lodge loaned it to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for exhibition in the Museum along with other Lafayette memorabilia there. The presentation was made to Most Worshipful A. Neill Osgood, Grand Master, and is set forth in detail on page 66 of the Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1963.

As of this writing, February 10, 1995, the Trowel is in possession of our Grand Lodge, on loan from Columbian Lodge A.F. & A.M."

Excerpts from a paper prepared by Brother Collins Graham, Historian, appointed by Wor. Theodore W. Dearborn, Jr. in December, 1961.

OTHER

  • 1796 (Committee to confer with lodge)
  • 1824 (Investigation regarding clandestine Masons)
  • 1881 (Permission to wear distinctive medals; Memorial for Past GM Heard)
  • 1900 (Pratt Fund bequest)
  • 1905 (Presentation of Edward VII portrait)
  • 1941 (Reduction of fees)
  • 1943 (Suspension of secretary for un-Masonic conduct)
  • 1944 (Restoration of secretary)
  • 1963 (Presentation of the Trowel Used at the Laying of the Corner Stone of the Bunker Hill Monument)
  • 1972 (Exemplification of customary processional and recessional procedure)
  • 1987 (Presentation)

EVENTS

INSTALLATION, JANUARY 1847

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. VI, No. 4, February 1847, p. 108:

On the 21st, the officers of Columbian Lodge were publicly installed, in the new Masonic hall in the Temple, in the presence of a crowded audience of ladies and gentlemen. The address was delivered by Br. John H. Sheppard. The first officer was installed by the Grand Master, and the remainder by Br. Geo. G. Smith, Past Master of the Lodge. The ceremonies were all well received by the audience.

INSTALLATION, DECEMBER 1849

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. IX, No. 3, January 1847, p. 96:

The officers of Columbian Lodge of this city were publicly Installed on the 21st ult. The ceremonies of Installation were performed by Rt. Wor. George G. Smith in his usual happy manner. The address was delivered by R. W. Br. Rev. George M. Randall, D. G. M. and was an eminently acceptable performance. Many ladies and gentlemen not of the Fraternity were present, and seemed to be well pleased with all they saw and heard.

INSTALLATION, DECEMBER 1855

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. IX, No. 4, February 1856, p. 112:

The officers of this flourishing Lodge fur the current year, were publicly installed at the Masonic Temple, on Monday evening Dec. 31st, in the presence of a large number of Brethren and their ladies. The hall was filled at an early hour, and at half-past 7 o'clock the M. W. Grand Master and other officers of the Grand Lodge were announced and received with the usual honors. The introductory prayer was made by the Rev. Samuel Barrett, a P. G. Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, and this was followed by a hymn from the Masonic Melodies by R. W. Thomas Power, Esq.

The Master elect, W. William B. Fowle, Jr. was then installed into his office by his immediate predecessor, R. W. John T . Heard, Esq., in a beautifully appropriate and impressive manner. The new Master next installed his associates in office; when, after the usual proclamation, an able and eloquent address was pronounced by the Rev. George M. Randall, P. G. M. A prayer was then offered by Rev. Br. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLWAlger Alger, and the ceremonies were closed by the singing of another of Br. Power's beautiful hymns, beginning -

"We met in love; we part in peace."

Columbian is one of the four oldest Lodges in this city, having been chartered in the year 1796, and is the largest and one of the most flourishing and respectable in the State. Its members number nearly two hundred, - a number perhaps too large for the convenient working of a single Lodge; and yet we can hardly think any of the Brethren at fault, in not wishing to separate from the pleasant associations that cluster around the history of their venerable alma·mater.

We are gratified in being able to state that a very complete and valuable history of the Lodge, from the pen of its late W. Master, Col. Heard, is now in press, and will be published in the course of the present month.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP, APRIL 1861

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 7, May 1861, Page 200:

The following interesting report was adopted by Columbian Lodge of this city, at its regular meeting in April last;—

To Sylvester Trull, Esq., Worshipful Master of Columbian Lodge:

The Committee to whom were referred the proposition to admit M. W. William D. Coolidge and W. Peter C. Jones to Honorary Membership in Columbian Lodge, have given to them careful and respectful consideration.

It is understood by the Committee that the Lodge contemplates, in conferring honorary membership, to compliment and honor Brethren who have rendered distinguished service (o this Lodge; or, who have become eminent among Masons for their valuable labors in the jurisdiction of Massachusetts or for the general Brotherhood; or, who, being active, worthy members of our institution, hold honorable position in other relations of life. Such persons it is desirable should compose our list of honor; and it therefore becomes a matter of care and importance that the enrollment thereon of every name should be that of one whose qualifications are of the highest character, as manifested in one, at least, of the spheres of action above mentioned.

In the candidates into whose merits and qualifications it is the pleasant duty of your committee to inquire, we are happy to recognize Brethren who have labored long and with more than ordinary fidelity, as members and officers, for the prosperity of this Lodge, and who have gained elsewhere in this Commonwealth most honorable position for their intelligence and integrity as Masons.

Brother Coolidge, the present Grand Master of Massachusetts, was initiated in this Lodge on the 6th of January, 1842, and admitted as a member on the 19th of May of that year. He was our Junior Steward in 1843 and 1844; Junior Deacon in 1845; Junior Warden in 1846, 1847 and 1848; Senior Warden in 1850 and 1851, and Master in 1852 and 1853. His official duties were performed with exactitude and ability ; and as a member, whether in office or out, he has always been among the foremost in everything calculated to advance our honor and welfare.

In the Grand Lodge he has been active and influential. His connection with that body has been signalized by a series of official services continued without interruption for more than twelve years and terminating in his election to the highest office in the gift of Masons. He was G. S. Bearer in 1849, 1850, 1851 and 1855; G. Steward in 1852, 1853 and 1854; G. Marshal in 1856; D. D. G. Master in 1857, 1858 and 1859; J. G. Warden in 1860; and at the election in December last, he was chosen Grand Master. Here, too, his exertions have not been confined to official duties, as his services on important committees and those rendered to his predecessors in the Grand Mastership, fully and honorably attest.

In the establishment of Dalhousie Lodge in Newton, during; the past year, he has taken a leading part, and presided over it until he was chosen to his present office.

The initiation of Brother Jones took place in this Lodge on the first day of April 1841, and he was admitted a member of it on the third of June in the same year. He was Junior Deacon in 1842; Senior Deacon in 1843, 1844 and 1845; Senior Warden in 1846 and 1847; and Master in 1848 and 1849. He has ever been most constant in his attendance on our meetings, giving us in this respect an example worthy of imitation. But his attendance has not been one of supineness as to the doings of the Lodge; on the contrary, he has always manifested the liveliest interest in all our transactions and labored with zeal for the good name and well-being of the Lodge, No one has been more active; no one more solicitous for our welfare. Familiar with the entire routine of the Lodge duty and possessing an accurate knowledge of the ritual, great weight is justly attached to his opinions and counsels thereon. During the first ten years after Bro. Jones' initiation, the means of instruction in the lectures were obtained only with difficulty, and his capacity to teach was often called into requisition, not only by members of this Lodge, but by those of other Lodges both of the city and country. This work alone, so important was it at the time it was rendered, would entitle our Brother to our gratitude.

Brother Jones has done also some service in Grand Lodge. He was G. S. Bearer in 1857, 1858, 1859 and 1860; and is the present J. G. Deacon. On the withdrawal of Bro. Coolidge as Master of Dalhousie Lodge, Brother Jones was appointed to succeed him, which station he now fills. Both of the candidates are connected with Chapter and Encampment Masonry.

Brother Jones has held with credit high offices in St. Andrew's R. A. Chapter and Boston Encampment. In view of the distinguished Masonic services of Brothers Coolidge and Jones, the committee heartily recommend that they be admitted as Honorary Members of Columbian Lodge.

The committee would state that the Honorary Members of this Lodge, now surviving, are—

  • Joshua B. Flint, admitted in 1840.
  • George G. Smith, admitted in 1840.
  • William M. Stedman, admitted in 1847.
  • Warren Fisher, admitted in 1847.
  • David Tillson, admitted in 1847.
  • Edward Prescott, admitted in 1849.
  • William C. Martin, admitted in 1849.
  • Samuel Smith, admitted in 1855.
  • Hon. Joseph R. Chandler, admitted in 1855.
  • Benjamin Stevens, admitted in 1855.
  • Rev. Edward T. Taylor, admitted in 1855.
  • George M. Randall, D. D., admitted in 1805.
  • John T. Heard, admitted in 1856.

All of which is respectfully submitted by the Committee.

(Signed,)
John T. Heard,
Robert L. Bobbins,
Boston, March 23rd, 1861.

Preston A. Ames.

VISIT OF KING KALAKAUA, DECEMBER 1874

From New England Freemason, Vol. II, No. 1, January 1875, Page 43:

King Kalakaua.—The King of the Sandwich Islands visited Columbian Lodge, of Boston, at its Stated Communication on the 7th inst. A son of a Past Master of that Lodge has been for some years a resident of the Sandwich Islands, and is a Past Master of one of the Lodges there. It was therefore thought peculiarly proper for Columbian Lodge to extend to his Majesty special Masonic courtesies and hospitalities, on the occasion of his recent visit to our city. The King was accompanied by Gov. Kapena and Lieut. Com. Totten.

The Corinthian Hall was of course crowded. Among the distinguished visitors present were Past Grand Masters Lewis, Heard and Coolidge, several of the District Deputy Grand Masters, and Brother Charles Bradlaugh, the English reform lecturer. The third degree was exemplified by W. Brother William J. Stevens, Master of the Lodge, assisted by his officers, and the visiting Brethren expressed great gratification with the exhibition of work. When it was concluded, the company, numbering some three hundred, repaired to the banqueting hall, where a most abundant and elaborate supper had been provided by Brother J. B. Smith. The substantials having been disposed of, brief but animated speeches followed in rapid succession from the King, Governor Kapena, Lieut. Commander Totten, the Past Grand Masters, Brothers Bradlaugh and Smith, and others. The wine was abundant, the company was in a lively mood, and the speakers were brilliant. The King enjoyed it all in the highest degree, declaring just before he left the table that he was "red hot"—or, as we say Masonically, "well ignited." We think it will be long before he forgets his visit to Columbian Lodge.

There are three Lodges in the Sandwich Islands: Le Progres de L'Oceanie, established in 1843, under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council of France; the Hawaiian Lodge of Honolulu, and the Wailukee Lodge of Maui. The last two are under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of California. The two first named occupy a hall in common at Honolulu, the capital of the Islands. The Hawaiian Lodge has a good library, the use of which is freely allowed to the other Lodge. These three Lodges number among their members natives, Americans, Englishmen and Germans, between whom the most friendly relations subsist. The Fraternity exercises a powerful influence in that community. It is said that four-fifths of the better class of the male population of Honolulu belong to one Lodge or the other. The King has long been an active member of the Lodge Le Progres de l'Oceanie, and is very regular and constant in his attendance upon its Communications. His brother, Prince William Pitt Leleihoku, was recently raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in the Hawaiian Lodge.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1803: District 1 (Boston)

1821: District 1

1834: District 1

1849: District 1

1867: District 1 (Boston)

1883: District 1 (Boston)

1911: District 1 (Boston)

1927: District 1 (Boston)

2003: District 1

LINKS

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