Delta

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DELTA LODGE

Location: Weymouth; Braintree (1900)

Chartered By: William Sewall Gardner

Charter Date: 06/09/1869 VII-371

Precedence Date: 06/06/1868

Current Status: Active

The Lodge of Eleusis and Quincy merged here, 05/03/1995.

NOTES

As a part of the historical address for the lodge's 50th anniversary on 06/02/1919, there are a number of short biographies of principal members.

  • 1919-124; Edward Avery, Past Junior Grand Warden.
  • 1919-126; Nathaniel Frederic Thayer Hunt, Past Senior Warden.
  • 1919-124; Elisha Watson, Past Junior Warden and State Representative.
  • 1919-127; Amos Stone White, Past Treasurer.
  • 1919-127; Charles Gilman Thompson, Past Secretary.
  • 1919-128; Alverdo Mason, Past Junior Warden.
  • 1919-129; Alden Wilder Nash, Past Senior Warden.
  • 1919-129; Elbridge Thomas Richards, Past junior officer.
  • 1919-129; Reuben Tirrell, Past Senior Warden.
  • 1919-130; William Sprague Wallace, Past Master.
  • 1919-131; Richard Amory Hunt, Past Organist.
  • 1919-131; Ebenezer Atherton Hunt, Past Master.
  • 1919-132; Francis Ambler, Past Town Clerk of Braintree.
  • 1919-133; Ebenezer William Hunt, Charter member.
  • 1919-133; Edwin P. Worster, member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-134; Thomas Brastow Porter, Past Trustee.
  • 1919-134; Erastus Nash, member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-134; Milton Heywood Read, Charter member.
  • 1919-135; George William Warren, veteran and member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-135; John Metzler Walsh, Past Master.
  • 1919-136; Francis Flint Forsaith, Charter Member.
  • 1919-136: George Adoniram Gustin, Past Marshal.
  • 1919-137: Charles Stewart Williams, Veteran and member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-137: Waterman Thomas Burrell, Past Junior Warden.
  • 1919-137: Solon Walter Pratt, member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-138: Charles Gorham Easterbrook, publisher and member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-138: Francis Allen Hobart, State Senator and member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-139: Asa French, former State Representative and member of the Lodge.
  • 1919-139: Edmund Stephen Soper Hunt, Charter Member.
  • 1919-140: George Washington White, Jr., former Trustee and Deputy Sheriff.

PAST MASTERS

  • Edward G. Avery, 1868-1870
  • George W. Locke, 1871
  • Ebenezer Atherton Hunt, 1872-1874
  • William Sprague Wallace, 1875-1877
  • John Metzer Walsh, 1878-1880
  • John E. Hunt, 1881, 1882; Memorial
  • Alden Bowditch, 1883, 1884
  • Edward E. Richards, 1885, 1886
  • David J. Pierce, 1887, 1888
  • Joel F. Sheppard, 1889, 1890
  • Edwin F. Sterling, 1891, 1892
  • Frank H. Mason, 1893, 1894; SN
  • Howard Poole, 1895-1897
  • George F. Fuller, 1898, 1899
  • W. Edward Gutterson, 1900, 1901
  • Edward M. Wight, 1902, 1903
  • Frank White, 1904, 1905
  • William S. Stone, 1906, 1907
  • George T. Burnham, 1908, 1909; Memorial
  • John Henry Guy, 1910, 1911
  • Charles G. Jordan, 1912, 1913; Memorial
  • Walter James Harrison, 1914, 1915
  • Atherton N. Hunt, 1916, 1917
  • Henry D. Higgins, 1918, 1919; N
  • Harry James Beck, 1920, 1921
  • Charles A. Koehler, 1922, 1923
  • Arthur W. Hoe, 1924, 1925; N
  • Willard Perkins Sheppard, 1926
  • Carl Gleason Makepeace, 1927
  • C(harles). Frederick Tarbox, 1928
  • Justin W. Shrader, 1929
  • Frank Philbrick Lord, 1930
  • Ernest Choate Woodsum, 1931
  • William Clement Brooks, 1932
  • Gilbert Thorpe Singleton, 1933
  • Charles William Mann, 1934
  • James H. Corrigan, 1935
  • Herbert B. Hollis, 1936
  • Oren Carrier, 1937
  • Carl G. Streitferd, 1938
  • William C. Ross, 1939
  • Daniel F. Caskin, 1940
  • Jonathan Wales French, 1941
  • H. Irving Charnock, 1942
  • Charles G. Jordan, Jr., 1943; N
  • Albert Henry Francis, 1944
  • Howard J. Rose, 1945
  • Charles S. McLean, 1946
  • Daniel H. M. Dwight, 1947
  • Clayton William Schwenk, 1948
  • Ralph Leach, 1949
  • Otis Briggs Oakman, Jr., 1950
  • W. Edwin Skinner, 1951
  • Francis Joseph Faust, 1952
  • Richard W. Farnsworth, 1953
  • James A. C. Smith, 1954
  • Harold C. Nielsen, 1955
  • Harold Taber Warren, 1956
  • Howard F. Knowles, 1957
  • Walter J. Hansen, 1958; N
  • Francis F. Phipps, 1959
  • Edward R. Oakman, 1960
  • Herbert E. Bass, 1961
  • Karl Harold Polson, 1962
  • Arthur Peterson, 1963
  • Abraham Shire, 1964
  • William J. Williams, 1965
  • Robert Henry Wills, Jr., 1966
  • John E. Morcom, 1967
  • George T. Loud, 1968
  • Warren David Armstrong, 1969
  • Stafford H. Cyphers, 1970
  • Morris J. Harrison, 1971
  • Donald R. Blunt, 1972
  • Wayne G. Parlee, 1973, 1979; PDDGM
  • Charles Alexander Cruickshank, 1974, 1996
  • James T. Sisson, 1975
  • Leonard A. Hinthorne, Sr., 1976
  • Robert C. Lane, 1977
  • Robert H. Stevens, 1979
  • James G. Chandler, Jr., 1980
  • Arnold J. Williams, 1981
  • John W. O'Connell, 1982
  • William M. Wing, 1983
  • Albert E. Wood, 1984, 1998; PDDGM
  • Francis B. James, Jr., 1985
  • Waller W. Elliott, Jr., 1986
  • George T. Long, 1987
  • Stanley R. Hathon, 1988
  • Robert J. Sargent, 1989
  • Robert E. Whitehouse, 1990, 1994
  • John B. MacKay, 1991, 1992; N
  • David H. Hockey, 1993
  • Donald R. Blunt, 1995
  • Gilbert N. Daley, 1997
  • Jeffrey R. Hall, 1999
  • Robert C. Mixer, 2000
  • Lance F. Powers, 2001, 2002, 2012, 2013
  • Earle A. Thompson, 2003
  • Richard S. Fredholm, 2004
  • Glenn D. Hall, 2005
  • Gerald A. DeGregorio, 2006, 2007
  • John J. Inglis, 2008-2010
  • Richard W. Jolls, 2011

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

ANNIVERSARIES

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1876 1889 1895 1900 1905 1907 1911 1912 1916 1919 1921 1929 1934 1936 1946 1947 1951 1956 1957 1958 1960 1961 1970 1971 1978 1980 1981 1986 1991 1994 1997

HISTORY

  • 1919 (50th Anniversary History, 1919-102)
  • 1944 (75th Anniversary History, 1944-180)
  • 1968 (Centenary History, 1968-56)
  • 1993 (125th Anniversary History, 1993-36)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, SEPTEMBER 1944

From Proceedings, Page 1944-180:

By Worshipful Brother Justin Winfred Shrader.

Again we have the privilege of assembling in the Braintree Town Hall, as many here will remember we did twenty-five years ago on the occasion of our Fiftieth Anniversary, but this time it is to celebrate the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the constitution of Delta Lodge by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

Due to the shortness of time allotted for this part of our long program for the evening and the dryness of its subject to our lady guests, this will be an attempt to review very briefly our work and progress in relation to that of our town during the quarter century just completed.

For the benefit of those present who are not familiar with the origin of Delta Lodge, it may be interesting to note that we were originally organized in and as a Weymouth institution, but as our membership grew, particularly with new members from Braintree, it was felt that there should be a Lodge in this town. After some discussion this was accomplished, and even now there are still some on our rolls who lived and have continued to live in Weymouth, such as Brother Percy Bates Cook.

Let us recall Delta Lodge and Braintree as they were as of August 31, 1919. We were then meeting in the same temple that we do today, but several changes have been made in our building. The heating plant has been modernized and the boiler room waterproofed, so that we could keep our fire burning and dispense heat, as well as light, to the candidates. Many of you will recall, no doubt with a smile, the discomforts experienced in our earlier days. No longer does the candidate imagine all the tortures to which he might be submitted as he did when the former ventilating fan was turned on, to the accompaniment of noises largely resembling those of an automobile which has just burned out a bearing.

Our quarters have been insulated, recarpeted, remodeled and many times painted; our outer apartments modernized and our abode well cared for by the several trustees of the temple. To these men is largely due the credit for clearing our property and its furnishings of all indebtedness and for the pleasing appearance that the temple now presents to our members and the citizens of Braintree. I believe it still holds its unique position among the temples of the State, being one of the very few whose lodge-room and outer apartments are all on the first and only floor of the building.

The following have served as faithful trustees of the temple, giving much of their time and thought to the solution of the many problems arising during this period.

  • Bro. Isaac Wendell Gammons
  • Albert Everett Avery
  • Wor. Walter James Harrison
  • R.W. Charles Gilbert Jordan
  • Wor. Carl Gleason Makepeace
  • Wor. Willard Perkins Sheppard
  • Charles Frederick Tarbox

Our present trustees are: Wor. Charles Gilbert Jordan, Bro. Frederick Wright Shaylor, Bro. Roy William Lawson.

During this period many changes have occurred in our town. Street cars have gone to their final resting place, having been replaced by busses; sewers have been constructed; our police, fire, water, light, school and administrative departments have been enlarged and modernized; the old fashioned Town Meeting form of local government with all its interminable, fiery oratory has been superseded by the Representative Town Meeting. Industrially, Braintree has also changed from a thriving shoe manufacturing center to a town of many industries of a highly diversified nature. Members of Delta Lodge have been important factors during these many changes in the development, improvement and administration of the town and the forward progress of its citizens.

With the constant increase of population in the town, Delta Lodge has shown a material growth in its membership. On August 31, 1919, our enrollment was three hundred and twenty-nine; by August 31, 1944, it had increased to four hundred sixty. We have nine initiates who have received their Master Mason degree, but who have not as yet signed the by-laws and therefore cannot be considered active members. During this period we reached our peak in numbers, having had five hundred and seventy-nine enrolled August 31, 1930. The fluctuation in membership is due to the number of deaths, dimits and suspensions, the latter two resulting from the long period of severe depression that so seriously affected us, as well as every form of human endeavor.

Since 1919 our activities have been many. Not perhaps in the public eye, as Masonic organizations as such seldom, if ever, take part in any public demonstration or activity, leaving such activities to the individuals as such. That they do take such part has been repeatedly set forth in our town's activities and its community interests.

As we progressed, it became necessary to plan for the future economic stability of the Lodge and so our by-laws were studied by a committee appointed for that purpose, and after frequent consultation with Right Worshipful Frederick W. Hamilton, then Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge, and other well versed members of the Grand Lodge Committee on By-Laws, permanent and charity funds were established which have now reached quite sizable and satisfactory amounts. Since that time, our Masters have been limited as to funds for entertainment and social activities and are to be congratulated for doing as well as they have in this direction. These funds have been ably administered during this time by the following Trustees of the Funds:

  • Bro. Herbert Warren Woodworth
  • Bro. Harry Lambert Patten
  • Bro. Charles Henry Hayward
  • Bro. Herbert Alonzo Bryant

Now serving in this office are:

  • R.W. Henry Davis Higgins
  • Wor. Frank Perkins Lord
  • Bro. Norton Pratt Potter

Due to the accelerated increase of membership, the question arose as to how long the meeting accommodations of the temple would prove adequate. Consequently, a meeting of some twenty members of Delta Lodge was held on November 1, 1923, the result of which was the formation of the Braintree Masonic Association, Inc., as a fraternal corporation. These twenty men, all of whom were supposed to be the charter members of the Association, were:

  • Bro. Howard B. Blewett
  • Wor. Walter J. Harrison
  • Wor. Herbert A. Bryant
  • R. W. Henry D. Higgins
  • R. W. George T. Burnham
  • R. W. Arthur W. Hoe
  • 
Bro. Lyman F. Garfield
  • Bro. Walter R. Howland
  • Wor. Atherton N. Hunt
  • Bro. William F. Rogers
  • Bro. Charles A. Kohler
  • Bro. George E. Sampson
  • Bro. Frank P. Lord
  • Wor. Willard P. Sheppard
  • Wor. Carl G. Makepeace
  • Wor. Justin W. Shrader
  • Bro. Weldon H. Reynolds
  • R. W. Hartley L. White
  • Francis W. Robinson
  • Bro. Ralph B. Woodsum

Right Worshipful Henry Davis Higgins was elected its President, Brother Howard Barnes Blewett its Treasurer, both of whom have been continuously, unanimously re-elected to those offices since, and Brother Ralph Benjamin Woodsum its Secretary. The latter resigned his office in 1931 and was succeeded by Worshipful Justin Winfred Shrader, who resigned in 1942, to be succeeded by its present Secretary, Worshipful Ernest Choate Woodsum. This corporation acquired and still owns for its members a very desirable parcel of land with the buildings thereon located at 403 to 409 Washington Street, near the present site of Delta Lodge, and on which it is hoped at some future day a new temple may be erected if it should ever be needed. A substantial number of the members of Delta Lodge, by virtue of donations and the signing of its by-laws, amounting to 159, together with 7 Honorary members, are now active members of this organization, and it is hoped that at some time its membership will comprise the full membership of Delta Lodge.

To its so-called charter members, and especially to Right Worshipful Henry Davis Higgins, who was its father and always has been, and still is its guiding director, is due the credit for its success. The indebtedness on its real estate has been steadily reduced, and because of rental income received, is and always has been self-supporting.

The annual meeting of the Lodge was changed in our Masonic year 1928-1929 from the fourth Tuesday in December to the fourth Tuesday in September, in order to conform with the fiscal year of Grand Lodge. This recalls that in the earlier days Delta's meetings were scheduled to be held at a certain time "on or before the full of the moon," but one month the moon played a trick on the Brethren and did not become "full" that month, so such a method had to be abandoned.

On February 26,1929, a new code of By-Laws was adopted by the Lodge and approved by Grand Lodge March 2, 1929, as attested by the signature of the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, Dr. Frederick W. Hamilton, and sealed by its official seal. It is under this code, with some minor amendments here and there, that we are now operating.

Another change in custom during the latter part of this quarter century and practiced by our officers, has been the performing of Masonic burial services for departed members; these sometimes are held one or two days previous to the regular funeral service, and are likewise open to the public. On Sunday, June 27, 1937, a special communication of Delta Lodge was opened at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Washington and West Streets in Braintree, for the purpose of laying the corner stone of the new Parish House of the Church. Our then Worshipful Master, Herbert Brown Hollis, officiated at the ceremonies and the stone was laid in place with appropriate Masonic ritual, which was followed by a very inspiring address by our Brother Stacy Baxter South-worth, Headmaster of Thayer Academy, concluding the services.

We should also note that in 1929 the Lodge, through its members, contributed over 100 percent of its quota toward the establishment of the Masonic Hospital at Shrewsbury, it being the first Lodge in our twenty-sixth Masonic District to "go over the top," and I seem to recall that it was likewise among the first in our State, and drew especial encomiums from Most Worshipful Herbert L. Dean, our then Grand Master, in his written reports to Grand Lodge.

It will also be recalled that at the end of the first fifty years of our existence, the so-called first World War had just been concluded, in which we had raised $1175 for the Grand Lodge War Fund. Now also in the second World War, sometimes called "The War to End Wars" and we sincerely and prayerfully hope that it will, our Lodge has again been the first in our District to respond to the request of Grand Lodge and has contributed 100 percent of the quota assigned to it; first, in 1941 was the Masonic Service Men's Fund, and now in August, 1944, its full quota of $1850 to the Grand Lodge Military Service Activities for Service men of the United States of America. The use of this latter fund is for all Service men, unlimited as to creed, color and rank.

A number of our members served in World War I, as listed in Worshipful Walter James Harrison's fiftieth anniversary address, one of whom, Brother John Crosby Bridgham, made the supreme sacrifice. In the present conflict, Delta's members have again contributed and are contributing their services to our Country. At present, listed on the Rolls of our Service Chairman, Brother Robert Shute Smith, are the following members serving with the Armed Forces:

  • Gerald Edward Blackburn
  • Edward York Blewett
  • John Herbert Duncan
  • William Gordon Edson
  • Alfred Augustus Ellsworth
  • George Frederick Erwin
  • Henry Smith Fisher
  • Webster Evans Fisher
  • Jonathan Wales French
  • Richard Danley Jolls
  • Gordon Ripley Keating
  • Alfred Thomas Little
  • George Joseph Mallon

  • Otis Briggs Oakman, Jr.
  • David Parker
  • Lawrence Elbridge Remick
  • Harold Elbridge Rogers

  • Norman Chandler Rolfe
  • Gordon Hodgdon Seabury
  • Louis Walter Snow
  • Eric Hjelm Streiferd
  • Jean Wenger
  • Everett Parker Wynot
  • Harold Giles Wynot

We also have the following members serving in the Merchant Marine:

  • Donovan Defieux Barnes
  • Chester Forsythe, Jr.
  • Fritz Streiferd

There is another interesting feature pertaining to the past twenty-five years which I wish to call to your attention, and that is the longevity of service of some of our officers. Brother Howard Barnes Blewett has served as our Treasurer for twenty-five years and is so serving at the present time. Right Worshipful Charles Gilbert Jordan and Worshipful Brothers Gilbert Thorpe Singleton and Herbert Brown Hollis have served as Secretaries, the latter now in office. Our late lamented Right Worshipful George Thompson Burnham was serving as Marshal of Delta at the time of his death and had been in office a period of twenty-one years. He also served as Proxy to Grand Lodge for twenty years and was most faithful in attendance.

Our Past Most Worshipful Grand Masters have favored Delta quite frequently in their appointments to positions on their staff. Right Worshipful Henry Davis Higgins served as District Deputy Grand Master 1920-1921; Right Worshipful Arthur Wellman Hoe, 1928-1929; and Right Worshipful George Thompson Burnham, 1934-1935, the latter having also served as Grand Pursuivant in 1940-1941.

As no history of the past twenty-five years would be complete without mentioning the men who have presided over our Lodge, the following Past Masters are herewith recorded:

  • Wor. Henry D. Higgins, Jan. 1918 to Jan. 1920
  • Wor. Harry J. Beck, Jan. 1920 to Jan. 1922
  • Wor. Charles A. Koehler, Jan. 1922 to Jan. 1924
  • R. W. Arthur W. Hoe, Jan. 1924 to Jan. 1926
  • Wor. Willard P. Sheppard, Jan. 1926 to Jan. 1927
  • Wor. Carl G. Makepeace, Jan. 1927 to Jan. 1928
  • Wor. Charles F. Tarbox, Jan. 1928 to Sept. 1929
  • Wor. Justin W. Shrader, Sept. 1929 to Sept. 1930
  • Wor. Frank P. Lord, Sept. 1930 to Sept. 1931
  • Wor. Ernest C. Woodsum, 1931 to Oct. 1932
  • Wor. William C. Brooks, Oct. 1932 to Oct. 1933
  • Wor. Gilbert T. Singleton, Oct. 1933 to Oct. 1934
  • Wor. Charles W. Mann, 1934 to Sept. 1935
  • Wor. James H. Corrigan, Sept. 1935 to Sept. 1936
  • Wor. Herbert B. Hollis, Sept. 1936 to Sept. 1937
  • Wor. Oren Carrier, Sept. 1937 to Sept. 1938
  • Wor. Carl G. Streitferd, Sept. 1938 to Sept. 1939
  • Wor. William C. Ross, Sept. 1939 to Sept. 1940
  • Wor. Daniel F. Caskin, Sept. 1940 to Sept. 1941
  • Wor. Jonathan W. French, Sept. 1941 to Sept. 1942
  • Wor. Harold I. Charnock, Sept. 1942 to Oct. 1943
  • Wor. Charles G. Jordan, Oct. 1943—

As mentioned at the beginning of these remarks, time precludes my recalling to you many points of interest and the naming of many members who have given unstintingly of their time and energy to our beloved order. While I make no prophecies for our future, I sincerely hope that the chaotic conditions forced upon us will soon cease; our members return to us and take up once again the thread of normal living and thinking. It is my hope that the Masonic heritage with which we are endowed will be an inspiration for our future. May Delta Lodge continue to exert a beneficial influence on its members, the citizens of Braintree and all mankind through the teachings and principles of Freemasonry.

OTHER

  • 1900 (Petition to remove to Braintree)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1868: District 16 (Plymouth)

1883: District 25 (Hingham)

1911: District 26 (Quincy)

1927: District 26 (Quincy)

2003: District 8

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges

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