Dalhousie

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DALHOUSIE LODGE

Location: Newtonville

Chartered By: William T. Coolidge

Charter Date: 06/12/1861 VI-376

Precedence Date: 08/03/1860

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

  • William T. Coolidge, 1860
  • Peter C. Jones, 1860
  • Albert A. Kendall, 1861, 1862
  • George E. Bridges, 1862, 1863
  • Cephas Brigham, 1864, 1865; SN
  • Luther E. Leland, 1866, 1867
  • Marcus T. Haywood, 1868, 1869
  • Horatio B. Hackett, 1870, 1871
  • William R. Wilson, 1872, 1873
  • Stephen W. Trowbridge, 1874, 1875
  • Charles N. Brackett, 1876, 1877
  • James B. Fuller, 1878, 1879
  • Wilfred A. Wetherbee, 1880, 1881
  • Edwin W. Gay, 1882, 1883
  • Henry H. Mather, 1884, 1885
  • Albert L. Harwood, 1886, 1887
  • John W. Fisher, 1888, 1889
  • George P. Whitmore, 1890, 1891; Mem
  • Robert Bennett, 1892, 1893
  • George A. Gleason, 1894, 1895
  • Winfield S. Slocum, 1896, 1897
  • Frank R. Moore, 1898
  • Wallace C. Boyden, 1899
  • Clarence E. Hanscom, 1900
  • John A. Fenno, 1901
  • Mitchell Wing, 1902
  • Edward S. Benedict, 1903
  • Samuel F. Brewer, 1904
  • Oliver M. Fisher, 1905
  • Henry L. Fairbrother, 1906
  • H. Stewart Bosson, 1907
  • Harry N. Milliken, 1908
  • Charles E. Hatfield, 1909
  • Carlyle R. Hayes, 1910
  • Edward C. Wyatt, 1911
  • Arthur G. Hosmer, 1912
  • Fred M. Blanchard, 1913; Mem
  • Frederick S. Fairchild, 1914
  • Allen D. Cady, 1915
  • Henry C. French, 1916
  • Edwin F. Ripley, 1917
  • Walter F. McCammon, 1918; N
  • Charles H. Clark, 1919
  • Robert D. Diggs, 1920; Mem
  • William A. Richardson, 1921
  • William L. Graves, 1922
  • Robert E. Hills, 1923
  • George E. Rushford, 1924
  • Harrison Hyslop, 1925
  • Henry A. Heath, 1926
  • Carl C. Davis, 1927
  • A. Perry Martin, 1928
  • J. Edwin Mitchell, 1929; PDDGM
  • Clifford W. Rust, 1930
  • John H. Berquist, 1931
  • James A. Mitchell, 1932
  • Carl B. Graves, 1933
  • William F. Keesler, 1934
  • Elmer J. Keene, 1935
  • Milton E. Allen, 1936
  • Edwin P. McGill, 1937
  • Louis S. Huber, 1938
  • W. Ratcliffe Waldo, 1939
  • Wendell R. Bauckman, 1940
  • Charles W. Lawrence, 1941
  • Leslie A. Russell, 1942
  • Lyman C. Morrill, 1943
  • Leon L. White, 1944
  • Geryon de S. Crummett, 1945
  • Martin G. Becker, 1946
  • Howell E. DuPuy, Jr., 1947
  • Henry W. Webster, 1948
  • Francis C. Laurie, 1949
  • William N. Woodland, 1950
  • Lestor E. Keene, 1951
  • Raymond G. Face, 1952
  • Joseph S. Balcom, 1953
  • John H. Newton, 1954
  • Harry L. Kinsel, 1955
  • Donald S. Bishop, 1956; N
  • William Donald Broadwell, 1957
  • Bert A. Hubley, 1958
  • J. Philip Berquist, 1959; N
  • William E. Halliday, Jr., 1960
  • Robert B. Purinton, 1961
  • Stafford E. Davis, 1962
  • Spencer G. Vocke, 1963
  • Joseph J. Urbanetti, 1964
  • Charles F. Benoit, 1965
  • Leigh G. Packer, 1966
  • Samuel M. Clapper, 1967
  • J. Bruce Spilman, 1968
  • Edward T. Slade, 1969
  • Ruane deS. Crummett, 1970
  • Lewis L. Oglivie, 1971
  • G. Carlton Lind, 1972
  • Robert S. Burkhardt, 1973
  • Paul R. Whitworth, Jr., 1974, 1975; N
  • W. Bradford Chase, Jr., 1976; PDDGM
  • Felix Figueroa, 1977
  • James C. Benoit, 1978
  • Maurice M. Pilette, 1979
  • Dale MacKinnon, 1980
  • James W. Miller, 1981
  • Jeremiah L.F. Coffey, Jr., 1982
  • Robert B. Webber, 1983
  • John R.S. Higgins, 1984
  • Edwin W. Davol, 1985
  • Jeffrey D. Christo, 1986
  • George A. Sarafinas, 1987; PDDGM
  • James O. Dill, Sr., 1988
  • James O. Dill, Jr., 1989 PDDGM
  • Frederick P. Norton, 1990
  • Mark J. Sawyer, 1991, 1992
  • David P. Dill, Sr., 1993
  • Michael P. Tornesello, 1994
  • Charles C. Keyes, 1995
  • John N. Spinney, 1996
  • John W. Whelden, 1997
  • Paul T. Forgit, 1998
  • James D. Conboy, 1999
  • Stephen M. Coan, 2000
  • Philip W. Turland, 2001
  • William S. Wong, 2002
  • Bernard J. Goulding, Jr., 2003, 2004
  • Peter M. Frasca, 2005, 2006
  • Lawrence E. Bethune, 2007, 2008; DDGM
  • Jeremiah J. Manfra, 2009
  • Jonathan B. Stevens, 2010
  • Wayne E. Martin, 2011
  • Peter A. Mooradian, 2012, 2013

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1860
  • Petition for Charter: 1861

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1910 (50th Anniversary)
  • 1935 (75th Anniversary)
  • 1960 (Centenary)
  • 1985 (125th Anniversary)
  • 2010 (150th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1870 1877 1879 1883 1885 1892 1893 1896 1900 1909 1911 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1923 1926 1927 1931 1937 1938 1943 1952 1953 1954 1959 1973 1976 1984 1986 1988 1990 1993 2003 2005

HISTORY

  • 1910 (50th Anniversary historical address, 1910-69)
  • 1935 (75th Anniversary History, 1935-52; see below)
  • 1960 (Centenary History, 1960-91)
  • 1985 (125th Anniversary History, 1985-59)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1935

From Proceedings, Page 1935-55:

By Wor. Wallace C. Boyden.

The anniversary of an individual, a married couple, or an institution has meaning not simply nor mainly because of the number of years that have passed. Its real significance lies in what has happened during those years, the progress made, service rendered, ideals followed, steadfastness of living shown, and the health, vigor, and outlook present at the time of the anniversary.

Today we are commemorating the founding of Dalhousie Lodge in 1860. How long ago is, or was, 1860? Seventy-five years, you say. But that does not tell us much. Perhaps we may be helped to a clearer conception by taking a little trip back through the years until we stand by the side of our Brethren who petitioned in that year to establish a Blue Lodge in the town of Newton.

We are starting, then, for a compact, well-governed, well-schooled, suburban city of 70,000 inhabitants, rightly named the "Garden City," with its comfortable homes, beautiful gardens, and well-kept grounds. These homes are equipped with a host of modern scientific appliances which make housekeeping in its various phases increasingly easy and efficient. One can sit at his desk and talk with friends in any part of the country at a moment's notice; or, ensconced in a comfortable easy-chair before the open fire, turn on the radio and hear the latest news from all parts of the world, attend lectures on almost any subject desired, and listen to the Symphony concert or any other kind of music suited to his taste. Even if he is a temporary or permanent shut-in, these outside occurrences, including divine service in church, cathedral, and synagogue, are open and free for his enjoyment. Groceries and other necessities of the home can be ordered by telephone and delivered at the door without charge. Ashes, garbage, snow on the streets and sidewalks are cared for by the city. Would one travel from place to place, he can find means at his service of great variety, and equipped to any degree of luxuriousness and comfort which he may desire; high-power automobiles, electric cars, auto-busses, trains with Pullman equipment and streamlined, steamships, yachts, airplanes.

These are a few of the salient characteristics of life at this end of our journey. As we move on toward our earlier date, one by one they disappear, the streamlined train, the airplane, radio, automobile, electric car, telephone, etc., not because they have become out-of-date, but because, at each stage of our journey, one or more of them have not yet come into date. When finally, at the end of our journey, we reach our Brethren of 1860, every one of these features has gone from life in this community. A moment's consideration of these tremendous changes in life conditions will reveal what it has cost in inventiveness, research, patient labor, energy, and time to create and put into effective action, one by one, these marvelous and really revolutionary agencies. In this way it is possible, perhaps, to come to some fairly definite idea of how far away from the present is the date, 1860, which we are celebrating today.

With all those features absent, which are so familiar and necessary to us, what was Newton at that time? A quiet but enterprising town of 8,000 inhabitants, settled in seven separate villages: Newton Corner, Newtonville, West Newton, Auburndale, and Lower Falls along the northern border of the town; Newton Centre and Upper Falls on the south side. All the great central portion of the town was open fields and woods with few houses. Washington and Watertown Streets ran through the town on the north side as at present. There was no through road on the south side, Beacon Street being only "a proposed road" from Newton Centre to Chestnut Street. Centre Street crossed the town from Newton Corner to Newton Centre, Chestnut Street from West Newton to Upper Falls, but Walnut Street extended only to Homer Street.

The Boston and Worcester Railroad, opened some twenty-five years earlier, ran a few trains to and from Boston daily to accommodate the villages on the north side, while the Charles River railroad gave a very limited service to the villages on the south side as far as Brookline. There were two stagecoach or bus lines from Newton Centre and Newton Corner to Boston. Very simple life conditions in which "good old Dobbin" and "Shanks' mare" were the chief means of travel.

The Masonic Lodges in existence at that time which were so situated as to be at all convenient for members residing in Newton were few in number. There were eight in the center of Boston, and Bethesda in Brighton; Monitor, Waltham; Pequossette, Watertown; Meridian, Natick; and Amicable, Cambridge.

Such is the background which must be kept in mind as we sketch rapidly and briefly some of the high points in the history of Dalhousie during these seventy-five years.

On June 25, 1860, the Newton Brethren, assembled in Temple Hall on the west side of Newtonville Square beside the Boston &; Albany railroad, voted to apply to the Most Worshipful Grand Master for a Dispensation establishing a Blue Lodge to be designated, "Dalhousie Lodge of Newton." The petition was signed by thirty-eight Brethren, headed by Right Worshipful Brother William D. Coolidge. The Dispensation was granted and Brother Coolidge chosen as Worshipful Master. At the regular meeting in December Brother Coolidge informed the Lodge that he had been elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and could no longer act as Worshipful Master for them. Worshipful Brother Peter C. Jones, Past Master of Columbian Lodge, of Boston, was chosen his successor, and he, two years later, was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge. Thus is made evident the quality of leadership which the Lodge enjoyed in its early years. A most auspicious opening of a distinguished career, if we may so speak of the life of an institution.

Dalhousie had the unique experience of having its charter signed, the Lodge itself constituted and consecrated, its hall dedicated, and its first officers installed by one of its number as Most Worshipful Grand Master. Brother Coolidge has been very appropriately called the "Father of Dalhousie Lodge," as it was due to his ardent devotion to Freemasonry in Newton and his exertions in its behalf that the Lodge was formed. His home was at the corner of Walnut Street and Highland Avenue, which doubtless accounts for the fact that the Lodge-room has always been located in Newtonville. He presented the Lodge with the Holy Bible, Square, and Compasses at the time of its organization and was elected an Honorary Member on October 16, 1861. His business of wool-buying called him frequently to the South, and at the opening of the Civil War, a time when a Massachusetts man was in grave peril in that section of the country, his high Masonic standing proved of great value to him. In personal appearance a man of large stature and commanding presence, but dignified and gentle in manner, his eloquence on all occasions, whether installing the officers, delivering the charge to the candidates, or addressing the Lodge upon matters concerning the good of the Order, never failed to impress his hearers. The Brethren will be interested to look at the picture, presented to the Lodge in 1871, and which hangs upon our walls, showing him as Most Worshipful Grand Master, surrounded by the officers of the Grand Lodge in 1861. This picture is of especial interest and value because it is the oldest photograph extant of a Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, taken when surrounded by his suite of Grand Officers. Worshipful Brother Peter C. Jones, and Brother Isaac Cary, Treasurer of Dalhousie under Dispensation, also appear in the group.

Brother Adin B. Underwood was an active worker with Brother Coolidge in the establishment of Dalhousie Lodge. It was he who suggested the name or' Dalhousie for the new Lodge. He was Secretary at the initial meeting, and served as Senior Deacon while the Lodge worked Under Dispensation. He was a Charter member, not only of the Lodge, but later of the Chapter and Commandery, and was the first High Priest of Newton Royal Arch Chapter. A photograph of him with his fellow officers of the Chapter hangs on our walls. One other of these early Brethren, John L. Roberts, should be mentioned in appreciation of his loyal devotion to Dalhousie and his valuable service rendered the Lodge in other ways than through official position. He was noted for his hospitality, and his home, the famous General Hull mansion, where he delighted in entertaining the Lodge's Masonic guests, was the scene of many social Masonic gatherings within its spacious halls. In those days, when Lodge accommodations were limited and scantily furnished, it is easy to understand that Brother Roberts' generous hospitality was invaluable in promoting the brotherly spirit proper to Freemasonry. His home was situated on the lot, diagonally across from our present building, on Walnut Street, extending from Austin Street to the Boston & Albany railroad tracks. After his death it became the home of the Newton Club.

The list of Charter members and of the first officers, as well as a brief account of the Earl of Dalhousie for whom the Lodge was named, can be found in full in the history of Brother Lewis E. Binney, given at the fiftieth anniversary in 1910.

Dp to the year 1876 the conferring of the degrees did not entitle those receiving them to membership in the Lodge, it being required afterwards to apply for and be elected to membership. In accordance with Masonic custom of that time, the regular communications of the Lodge were held on Wednesday evenings on or before the full of the moon.

Throughout these seventy-five years of its existence, Dalhousie has maintained a high standard of requirement for membership, strictly in accord with the best Masonic traditions and principles. As a result the character of its membership has always been a matter of just pride, representing as it does the best element of citizenship in the community: men who have filled the highest office in the municipal government of the city of Newton, who have served in the Senate and House of Representatives of the state and national governments; clergymen and professors who have attained eminence in the religious and educational life of the country; members of the legal and medical professions, and citizens prominent in financial, mercantile, and educational circles in this vicinity.

The number of members has been steadily and normally increasing through the years until it reached its maximum, 1120, in 1920. Since then it has dropped somewhat each year, especially during the last three years, leaving the present membership 980. Dalhousie still stands as one of the largest Lodges in Massachusetts, only four exceeding it in size: Palestine, Everett; Athelstan, Worcester; Mt. Carmel, Lynn; and Roswell Lee, Springfield. The annual addition to membership reached its peak of 102 in 1920. In that year the third Newton Blue Lodge, Norumbega, was constituted; the second, Fraternity, having been started in 1875. During the seventy-five years, 2180 Brothers have signed the by-laws and become members of the Lodge.

It is an interesting fact that during the early years Dalhousie seemed to be closely associated with the churches of the community. Its first home was in the Swedenborgian chapel on the second floor of a small building near the station on Bowers Street. In 1861 it moved to the upper story of the newly erected Methodist church on the corner of Washington Street and Central Avenue, which building was sold seven years later to the Central Congregational church. It was the Lodge-room in this building that was dedicated June 24, 1861, very plainly furnished and heated by a large pyramid stove in one corner, presenting as strong a contrast to our present quarters as was shown in the pictures of Newton in 1860 and 1935.

In 1874 ex-Governor William Claflin built what was known as Central Block, a large three-and-a-half-story wooden building on the corner of Washington and Walnut Streets, completing the upper portion for the accommodation of the Masons, who had then outgrown their quarters in the church. These handsomely furnished apartments, consisting of a large main hall, a smaller hall, an armory, reception rooms, etc., seemed adequate to the requirements of the Fraternity for many years. This hall was dedicated by the Grand Master on May 12, 1875.

Twenty years later, however, these quarters were found to be quite inadequate, besides carrying an undesirably great fire risk. Negotiations with the proprietor for certain improvements and additional safety appliances failed. It was therefore decided to undertake the erection of a Masonic Temple in Newtonville suitable to the needs of the several Masonic bodies which would use it. Under the leadership of Worshipful Brother George P. Whitmore, Right Worshipful Albert L. Harwood, and Brother Edward P. Hatch, steps were taken to secure the lot and arrangements made to erect the present building so well-known to us all. As the Masonic bodies which were interested in the movement were not incorporated, and could not hold real estate by legal title, it became necessary to form a stock company. On December 24, 1895, the Newton Masonic Hall Association was accordingly incorporated to erect the building, although the details were first to be submitted to the several Masonic organizations for approval. The corner-stone was laid September 23, 1896, and a year later, on October 6, 1897, the Lodge assembled for the last time in their old apartments in Central Block and marched to the new building, where the ceremony of dedication was performed by Most Worshipful Charles C. Hutchinson, Grand Master; the address upon the occasion being delivered by Right Worshipful Brother Albert L. Harwood. At that time this Temple was not excelled by any other Masonic Temple in New England, and perhaps in the country, in convenience and beauty of appointments. It still stands as among the finest. Its erection was an undertaking of great magnitude, the success of which is due in no small measure to the untiring efforts and able direction of Worshipful Brother George P. Whitmore, the President of the Association.

Then came the serious problem of financing the enterprise, which included not only caring for the debt which had been incurred of necessity, but also maintaining the property in efficient condition. This was in the hands of the Masonic Hall Association. The Brethren were very loyal in their support of the enterprise, taking stock as individuals and as Masonic bodies, with no expectation of any return in dividends. Of course this undertaking was the responsibility of the Masonic Fraternity and not of any one of the bodies. However, because Dalhousie was the oldest and largest of these it played a large part in the enterprise. Main of its Brethren gave faithfully and freely of their time, and valuable service during long periods as Directors of the Association in the successful management of the affairs of the building for the next twenty-five years.

In the fall of 1920 the Directors of the Association felt that the situation demanded a more energetic and united effort toward the reduction of the indebtedness and its eventual removal. Accordingly, representatives chosen by the various bodies were called together and the Newton Masonic Entertainment Committee was formed, whose primary object was to care for the raising of the annual payments due on the mortgage bonds. A little over a year later the name of this organization was changed to the Newton Masonic Executive Council and its purpose expanded to the final elimination of all indebtedness on the building.

At the same time there grew up a strong feeling that the basic interest in the building lay with the Masonic bodies who used it, and, therefore, that its control should rest entirely with them rather than include a large number of individual stockholders. Accordingly, on April 21, 1922, the Newton Masonic Hall Association was replaced by the Newton Masonic Associates, Incorporated, the incorporators being seven chosen representatives of the Masonic bodies. The first officers of this new Organization were:

  • President, George Royal Pulsifer.
  • Vice-President, Fred M. Blanchard.
  • Secretary-Treasurer, J. Edward Marsters.
  • Directors, Frederick S. Fairchild, Warren W. Loomis, George L. Sleeper, and Christopher I. Flye.

In 1923 the Newton Masonic Executive Council organized a definite campaign for the elimination of the indebtedness, under the able direction of its President, Austin H. Decatur, who died just as the end was in sight. On October 7, 1927, the mortgage was burned with fitting ceremonies, Right Worshipful Fted M. Blanchard, President of the Associates, serving as master of ceremonies. Right Worshiplul Albert L. Harwood, who gave the address at the dedication of the Temple, spoke also on this joyous occasion. Worshipful Brother John W. Fisher and Brother J. Cheever Fuller, two of the original directors of the Association, bad the honor of consigning the mortgage to the flames. The spirit of the occasion is well expressed by the following quotation from words spoken that evening:

"Newton Masons may justly take pride in the accomplishment which we celebrate tonight, for not only has a heavy burden been forever removed, but in its place has been created a real asset capable of being efficiently used for the benefit of the Fraternity to which it is dedicated."

Born, as it were, in the shadow of the impending four-year Civil War, Dalhousie early met the test of its patriotic spirit, and right royally did its members respond to the call of duty. Into this service they were led by the first Worshipful Master, Albert A. Kendall, who enlisted as a surgeon during his first year as Master. Fleeted for a second term during his absence, his reply of acceptance was written and sent on the very day of his death at the Battle of Antietam. In all later calls from the country for service, our Brethren have done their part with honor.

In accord with the true Masonic spirit, Dalhousie established and has developed a Charity Fund of sufficient size for its income to care for all the needy Brethren even during these recent vears of special distress. It is carefully and sympatheti-cally administered by a Board of Trustees, consisting of the presiding Master and two others. Dalhousie has done its share in all the benevolent enterprises of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.

Such a life of honorable achievement as Dalhousie Lodge has had comes not with case or by chance. We of the present should recognize that the blessings which we enjoy have been "bought with a price." On an occasion like this acknowledgment should be made of our indebtedness to the long list of Brethren who have wrought so faithfully and unstintingly that we might enjoy. There are fifty-five Past Masters of the Lodge, of whom twenty-eight arc living. It should be borne in mind that while it is a great honor to be elected Worshipful Master of such a Lodge as Dalhousie, the position carries with it a large burden of responsibility and an arduous amount of work. During the first thirty-seven years the term of service of the Masters was uniformly two years, while since that time it has been but one year. But note, please, that it has been the custom of this Lodge to start a new man in at the lowest station and expect him to travel upward through the various positions until at last he arrives at the East. This means that each Past Master has served in office all the way from seven to fourteen years. This is no small contribution to the life of the Lodge. The Lodge has been honored by having live of its Past Masters appointed to the position of District Deputy Grand Master: .Albert L. Harwood, George P. Whitmore, Fred M. Blanchard, Robert D. Diggs, and Walter L. McCammon. Also Right Worshipful Albert L. Harwood served as Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge.

There are certain other officials who have served the Lodge for periods of more than ten vears. Three Treasurers: John B. Turner from 1873 to 1884, John W. Fisher from 1900 to 1915, and Frederick S. Fairchild from 1916 to the present; two Secretaries: Edward E. Morgan from 1883 until his death in 1916, and Robert D. Diggs from 1921 to the present. Continuity in these two positions means much to the Master in his work and contributes to the smooth running of the Lodge. Alexander Chisholm served the Lodge as Tyler for twenty-three years.

Dalhousie has completed seventy-five years of harmonious, prosperous, and useful life, of which the Brethren may well be proud. Its achievements, High standing, and fine reputation are, indeed, a great inheritance. We should be deeply grateful for the honorable past, but recognize that the story of its life does not end here. We have a responsibility to carry on. In the light of what has been done, and with reliance upon the Lodge as it is today, may we go forward with confidence and determination to preserve and continue the high character of its achievements and increase the luster of its reputation.

OTHER

  • 1871 (Lodge charter given rank according to its date of dispensation)
  • 1892 (Petition regarding dates on charter and seal)

EVENTS

DISPENSATION, AUGUST 1860

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIX, No. 12, September 1860, Page 361:

DALHOUSIE LODGE — LORD ABERDOUR.

On the third of August last, the Grand Master of Massachusetts granted a Dispensation to R. W. William D. Coolidge, Esq., and thirty-five other Brethren, to form a Lodge at Newtonville, in the town of Newton, under the name of "Dalhousie Lodge." The Brethren residing in this town have long needed a Lodge, and we are happy to learn that that now established there promises to flourish and become one of the most influential in the Commonwealth. Indeed, this could hardly be otherwise, for its government is entrusted to Bio. Coolidge, whose skill in Masonry and devotion to its objects and principles, afford the strongest guarantee that all things will be conducted wisely, and creditably to the Craft; and he will be supported by Brethren of experience and fidelity who are associated with him.

In the selection of a name, the Brethren have sought to honor the memory of the Grand Master of Scotland, whose term of office continued from November 30th, 1767, to November 30th, 1769, and who, on the 30th of May, 1769, granted letters of deputation to General Joseph Warren, by which he became "Grand Master of Masons in Boston, New England, and within one hundred miles of the same."

George, the eighth Earl of Dalhousie — the Grand Master above referred to — was a descendant of the illustrious family of Ramsays — which came from Germany and settled in Scotland as early as the reign of King David I. Sir William Ramsay, in 1295, was the first designed "by the title of Dalhousie. George, the 8th Earl, succeeded his brother Charles, the 7th Earl, on the 29th January, 1764, and died in 1787.

Dalhousie Arms, in 1769.

Argent, an eagle displayed, sable, beaked and membered, gules.

  • Crest; on a wreath, an unicorn's head, couped, argent, horned and maned, or.
  • Supporters; two griffons, proper.
  • Motto; Ora et labora.

Two important facts in the early history of Masonry in Massachusetts are now befittingly commemorated through the names of Lodges which illustrate them, namely, — by Montacute Lodge and Henry Price Lodge, is marked the event of the establishment of the Saint John's Grand Lodge, by commission from Viscount Montacute, Grand Master of England, to Henry Price, in 1733; and by Dalhousie Lodge and Joseph Warren Lodge is celebrated the act by which the Grand Master of Scotland, in 1769, deputized Joseph Warren to form a Grand Lodge "in Boston, New England, and within one hundred miles of the same," which subsequently became known as the "Massachusetts Grand Lodge."

One other name we should like to honor by giving it to a Lodge in this jurisdiction—it is that of Sholto Charles Douglas, Lord Aberdour, who, in 1756, as Grand Master of Scotland, granted the Charter of Saint Andrew's Lodge, of this city, under which that body has continued to work to the present time. In 1809, it acknowledged its allegiance to the present Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Saint Andrew's is the only subordinate Lodge now existing in this commonwealth which originally worked under powers derived from abroad, so that, should we adopt the name of "Aberdour" for a Lodge, the early official connections between European Masonry and that in this Commonwealth, would be, in such mariner, completely celebrated.

Sholto Charles, Lord Aberdour, was Grand Master of Scotland from November 30th, 1755, to November 30th, 1757. He succeeded his father James, the 15th Earl of Morton, October 12th, 1768. He was born in 1732, and died in 1774.

Arms.

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, argent, a man's heart ensigned with an imperial crown, all proper; on a chief azure, three mullets argent, being the paternal coat of Douglas: 2d and 3d, argent, three piles, issuing from the chief gules, the exterior charged with a mullet azure, for Douglas of Dalkeith and Lochleven.

  • Crest; on a wreath, a wild boar, striking between two stems of oak, a chain and lock holding them together.
  • Supporters; two savages, wreathed about their heads and waists with oak leaves, each holding a battoon in his hand, the great end to the ground, all proper.
  • Motto; Lock sicker.

We have given a description of the Arms of Dalhousie and Aberdour in order
that a Lodge taking the name of either of these distinguished persons could
avail itself readily of his insignia for decorative purposes. In this respect, the
example of Montacute Lodge, Worcester, is worthy of imitation, — the Arms of
 Viscount Montacute having been appropriately introduced into the seal of the
 Lodge, serving the double purpose of rendering to his name a fitting tribute and
perpetuating interesting historical associations. J. T. H.

CONSTITUTION AND HALL DEDICATION, JUNE 1861

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 9, July 1861, Page 284:

This is the name of a new and energetic Lodge which, for the past year, has been working under Dispensation at Newtonville, and was duly constituted on the 24th June last. The ceremonies of Dedicating the hall and Consecrating the Lodge were performed by the Grand Master and his Officers, in the afternoon, in presence of the members of the new Lodge and visiting Brethren, and in the evening the officers were installed in presence of the ladies and other friends. At the conclusion of which, R. W. Brother Dr. Lewis delivered one of his neat and taking addresses; and of course everybody was pleased with this part of the performance, especially the ladies, to whom the speaker, as usual, made his best bow, and on this occasion, in his best manner.

In the interim between the consecration of the Lodge and the installation of its officers the Brethren partook of a collation, served up in good taste and with generous liberality.

The Hall is one of the finest in the State, and does high honor to the taste, liberality and enterprise of the Brethren of the new Lodge.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1860: District 12

1867: District 4 (Cambridge)

1883: District 5 (Newton)

1897: District 5 (Waltham)

1911: District 5 (Waltham)

1927: District 5 (Waltham)

2003: District 5

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges

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