Friendship3

FRIENDSHIP LODGE

Location: Wilmington

Chartered By: Charles T. Gallagher

Charter Date: 12/10/1902 1902-196

Precedence Date: 09/16/1901

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

George C. Hill, 1903, 1904; N
William L. Kelley, 1905, 1906
Caleb S. Harriman, 1907, 1908
Edward N. Eames, 1909, 1910
George L. Perry, 1911, 1912
Linwood H. Smith, 1913, 1914
John Allen, 1915, 1916
Thomas T. Sidelinker, 1917, 1918
Harry R. Deming, 1919, 1920
Adolph B. Moore, 1921, 1922
Harold E. Melzar, 1923, 1924
Leon F. Call, 1925, 1926
Harry P. Nash, 1927, 1928
William H. Mobbs, 1929
Charles H. Black, 1930, 1931
Norman W. Perry, 1932
Walter G. Buckle, 1933, 1934
Joseph H. Cotton, 1935
Arthur G. Kidder, 1936, 1937
William T. Henderson, 1938
John J. Nitchie, 1939, 1940
Frank J. Hadley, 1941
Austin C. Woodside, 1942, 1943; N
Frank W. Haynes, 1944, 1945; N
Alfred L. Varney, 1946
Ralph B. Odiorne, 1947, 1948
Paul W. Dayton, 1949, 1950
Basil L. Weatherbee, 1951
Stanley Webber, 1952
Charles B. MacDonald, 1953
Harry G. Moore, 1954
William I. Coffin, 1955
Henry T. Flight, 1956, 1957
William I. Coffin, Jr., 1958
Frank T. Haynes, 1959
Ralph Garland, 1960, 1961
Charles F. Sicard, 1962
Frederick H. Ward, 1963
Malcolm S. Butler, 1964
William H. Jensen, 1965
John C. Lapper, 1966
Richard T. Gunn, 1967
Frank H. McLean, 1968
Kenneth R. Leavitt, 1969
Ralph E. Tarricone, 1970
Willard C. Luken, 1971
Harry N. Atamian, 1972, 1979
Willis B. Whalen, Jr., 1973; PDDGM
Vernon L. Randell, 1974, 1982
Stanley R. White, Jr., 1975
Roger H. Mills, 1976
Wor. Herbert D. Nickerson, 1977
Herbert J. Wallace, Jr., 1978
Robert J. Sweet, Jr., 1980
Don G. Hill, IV, 1981, 1986
Martin I. Lesnik, 1983
Roy W. Dutton, V, 1984
Richard G. Cole, 1985
Vincent J. Sinkevicius, 1987, 1988
William R. Brookings, 1989
Rubin Frankel, 1990
Lyle M. Stockbridge, 1991
Alan S. Randell, 1992
Earl W. Zimmerman, Jr., 1993
Earl W. Zimmerman, Sr., 1994
Gary A. Atamian, 1995
Peter A. James, 1996, 1997
Peter H. Major, 1998, 1999
David L. St. Onge, 2000
Philip A. Nowlan, 2001, 2002 DDGM
Robert F. Bishop, 2003, 2007
Ted N. Morang, Sr., 2004; PDDGM
Brian A. King, 2005, 2006
Joseph J. Cardello, 2008
Dennis B. Lincoln, 2009
Paul J. McMahon, Jr., 2010, 2011
Dominic P. Fiumara, 2012

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1901
Petition for Charter: 1902

ANNIVERSARIES

1951 (50th Anniversary)
1976 (75th Anniversary)
2001 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1902 (Gallagher; Constitution of Lodge and installation)
1906 (Blake; Cornerstone laying; Special Communication)
1951 (Roy; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)
1976 (Maxwell; 75th Anniversary; Special Communication)
2001 (Bauer; Centenary; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1905 1910 1911 1912 1917 1922 1925 1927 1928 1929 1943 1947 1950 1956 1968 1969 1976 1977 1978 1979 1981 1985 1988 1989 1999 2008 2009 2011

HISTORY

1951 (50th Anniversary History, 1951-196)

50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY

On May 22, 1901, twenty Master Masons, residents of Wilmington, met at Hiller's Cranberry House on Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, to discuss the formation of a Masonic Lodge. At this meeting, Worshipful Edwin L. Haley was chosen Chairman, and Brother George L. Perry, Secretary.

In June, a petition to form such a lodge was presented to the Grand Lodge, signed by the following Brethren; Edwin L. Haley, Arthur T. Bond, George C. Hill, Caleb S. Harriman, George W. Ayer, Daniel T. Buzzell, William H. Putnam, John T. Wild, Melvin E. Taylor, William L. Kelley, George H. Woodman, Anthony Musolino, Everett T. Perry, Edward N. Eames, George A. Hart, Fred A. Eames, John B. Mack, George L. Perry, William H. Shepard, George W. Buck, Walter H. Rollins, Joseph Patchett, Francis A. Hamlin, John R. McIntosh, Fred M. Carter, Charles H. Doak, Gilman Harnden, Joseph W. Strong, Charles H. Nudd, Asa G. Sheldon, and George S. Crockett.

A dispensation, dated September 16, 1901, was granted by the Grand Master, who appointed Worshipful Edwin L. Haley to act as Master, Brother Arthur T. Bond, as Senior Warden and Brother George C. Hill, as Junior Warden.

Friendship Lodge had its troubles at an early date, and of a very disturbing nature, but as the details would not enhance the history of the Lodge, suffice it is to say that the difficulties were overcome and harmony restored. Brothers Haley and Bond withdrew from the lodge before the charter was granted. The first election of officers by members took place on August 20, 1902.

The first election of officers by members took place on August 20, 1902.

The Lodge was constituted on December 23, 1902, by Most Worshipful Grand Master Charles T. Gallagher and Grand Lodge officers, and the following lodge officers installed:

Worshipful Master George Clark Hill
Senior Warden William Lawrence Kelley
Junior Warden Caleb Samuel Harriman
Treasurer John Tufts Wild
Secretary Winslow Hathaway
Chaplain Rev. Walter Huntington Rollins
Marshal John Arthur Taylor
Senior Deacon Edward Nelson Eames
Junior Deacon George Lewis Perry
Senior Steward Almon Caleb Thompson
Junior Steward Henry Melvin Taylor
Inside Sentinel William Henry Putnam
Tyler George Allison Hart

With the exception of Brothers Haley, Bond and Mack, the list of names of our charter members is the same as that of the petitioners previously read, and as each of our members has a copy of our by-laws in which these names appear, repetition here is omitted.

The early meetings of the Lodge were held in Hillerís Cranberry House, covered by a lease which provided:

Right of way from street to and from the building.
Exclusive use of the second story and westerly half of the Picking room, together with the right of control of the attic.
Rental $7.00 per month.

Quite in contrast with the present day lodge apartments were the furnishings of Friendship Lodge in its beginnings. The walls and rafters were covered with burlap; the members sat on wooden settees; kerosene lamps furnished the light; the only heat found its way into the lodge room by opening the double doors. The Alter, Senior Wardenís and Junior Warden's stands, which are still in use in our lodge room, were built by Brothers William L. Kelley and John T. Wild; the burlap was contributed by Brother Harriman, the Bible by Rev. Brother Rollins, the Square and Compasses by Good Samaritan Lodge of Reading, the organ by Brother Hill and many other contributions not recorded.

The first member raised in Friendship Lodge was William Henry Haley on December 18th, 1901.

On December 31, 1904, the members voted to purchase the ìHiller Tower Building, the present lodge apartments. During 1905 extensive repairs and alterations were made, and the first meeting of the lodge in its new home was held on January 17, 1906. The building was dedicated by Most Worshipful Grand Master John Albert Blake and Grand Lodge Officers on February 21, 1906.

A brief resume of the early financial transactions of the lodge given by Worshipful Brother Harriman at the Annual Meeting, in December 1920, follows:

Friendship Lodge started its financial structure with $46.00, contributed by its members. At the close of its first year, the cash balance was $8.44. To pay for the Hiller Tower Building, the members subscribed $1725, receiving in return, notes at 5% interest. For repairs, alterations, etc., $3300 was raised by a mortgage on the real estate. In 1910, it was found necessary to borrow $1000.00 more, on a second mortgage. This was paid in full in March 1918. The last payment on the first mortgage, $400.00 was paid in 1920, and the mortgage burned by Right Worshipful Brother Hill, at the Annual Meeting of that year.

Following the burning of the mortgage, a banquet in the lower hall was tendered Worshipful Brother Harriman, retiring Treasurer, who served from January 1909 to January 1921, and to Right Worshipful Brother Hill, retiring Secretary, he having served from January 1906 to January 1921. A bounteous dinner, gifts to the retiring officers, addresses by Right Worshipful Frederick L. Putnam, Right Worshipful Robert W. Oliver and Worshipful Guy Ham, singing and music by an orchestra made up an enjoyable evening.

The social activities of the lodge during the early days consisted principally of fairs, ladiesí nights, dances and card parties, which were very successful and added materially to the lodge treasury.

Visits by members to Thomas Talbot Lodge, Billerica; Mount Horeb Lodge, Woburn; and Good Samaritan Lodge in Reading, were frequent, and made principally by horse and buggy, or trolley.

The following Brethren were is the service during World War I:

George W. Hathaway
Charles B. Olsen
William H. Mobbs
Gerald F. Frazer
William M. Dobson
George A. Steele
Hector Jackson
Harry Jones
Harold N. Eames
Hubert B. Eames
Arthur Tenney
Rodney E. Buck
John R. Smith, Jr.
Charles F. Burns
George T. Neilson
Ralph L. Buck
Arthur S. Brazel

On December 17th, 1919, a Welcome Home Reception and Dinner was tendered these Brethren, and fifteen out of the seventeen were able to be present. Gifts were presented and the lodge was honored by having speakers, Grand Master-Elect Arthur D. Prince, Right Worshipful Robert W. Oliver, District Deputy Grand Master and Worshipful Frederic L. Putnam, Grand Lecturer.

The bronze Memorial Tablet bearing names of these service Brethren was dedicated October 18, 1922 by Right Worshipful Percy W. Witherell, District Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Lodge Officers.

Although taken as a matter of course in todayís life, the installation of electric lights in the summer of 1913, thereby replacing the kerosene lamps; town water in 1935, when the hand pump in the kitchen was retired, and the purchase of the present organ in the Fall of 1926, at a cost of $2691.00, were important events and added to the comfort and pride of the members. The expenditure of the latter sum was no small item in those days. Credit should here be given to the Officers and members of Acacia Chapter N. 80, Order of the Eastern Star, for their liberal contributions toward the cost of the organ.

In World War II, the following Brethren were in the service:

William M. Dobson
Ralph B. Wicks
Watson A. Clover
Donald L. Woodside
Samuel W. Grant
Donald F. Nims
Frank J. Hadley, Jr.
Samuel P. Pike, III
Fred G. Husson
Charles C. Park
Frederick H. Stevens

Friendship Lodge has twice been honored by appointments of District Deputy Grand Masters by the Grand Lodge:

Right Worshipful George Clark Hill 1913, 1914
Right Worshipful Austin Clifford Woodside 1947, 1948

Five of our members have been awarded Fifty-Year Veteran Medals by the Grand Lodge: Brother George Warren Buck initiated in Thomas Talbot Lodge, March 5, 1895; Worshipful Caleb Samuel Harriman initiated in William Parkman Lodge, April 1, 1897; Brother John Robert McIntosh initiated in Good Samaritan Lodge, May 18, 1899; Right Worshipful George Clark Hill initiated in Good Samaritan Lodge, September 1, 1899; and Worshipful George Lewis Perry initiated in Thomas Talbot Lodge, January 1, 1901.

On December 20, 1916, Brother George Allison Hart, a Charter Member, was made a Life Member. He was Tyler from 1902 to 1917, and received the Henry Price Medal from the Grand Lodge on March 20, 1918.

The Joseph Warren Medal was presented to Worshipful Harry R. Deming on January 17, 1940, by Right Worshipful Paul N. Shiverick, District Deputy Grand Master. This Medal was presented for distinguished service in masonry for having been present at every stated communication for twenty-eight consecutive years.

On December 19, 1906, Worshipful William L. Kelley presented the Lodge with a gavel made from a piece of the original wood taken from the United States Ship Constitution, expressing the wish that it be used only when the Master opens his lodge on entering and closing the lodge when retiring from office. The lodge voted to accept the gavel, with thanks, and to respect his wishes by considering them a condition of its acceptance.

On September 15, 1926, the 25th Anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated, opening by conducting to the stations they occupied in September 1902, the following officers:

Rt. Worshipful George C. Hill In the East
Worshipful Caleb S. Harriman Junior Warden
Brother John W. Hathaway Secretary
Rev. Brother Walter H. Rollins Chaplain
Brother J. Arthur Taylor Marshal
Worshipful Edward N. Eames Senior Deacon
Worshipful George L. Perry Junior Warden

After standing a moment in silent tribute to our departed Brethren and those unable to be present, the members proceeded to the lower hall, where a chicken supper was served by the ladies of the Eastern Star. The speakers of the evening were Right Worshipful John A. Avery, Worshipful Frederick L. Putnam and Rev. Brother Walter H. Rollins.

Our members were saddened by the death of Right Worshipful George Clark Hill on May 17, 1951. He was our first Master under charter, Secretary from 1906 to 1921, and District Deputy Grand Master in 1913 and 1914. Although not able to be with us except on special occasions, his love for and interest in Masonry continued until the last. He presided in the East at our Past Masterís Night the evening before he passed to his Great Reward. His Records as Secretary were examples of accuracy, clarity and fine penmanship, of which Friendship is justly proud.

Now in the service of Our Country are Brothers:

Henry P. Chinn
Frank H. Dayton
James S. Fairweather
Arthur C. Fish
Frederick J. Fish
Charles F. Powell
Thomas Sparkes
George H. White

Neither time nor space will permit enumerating all the names of our District Deputy Grand Masters and other members of the fraternity, whose assistance and words of wisdom have helped to guide us down through the years. Outstanding, however, is that of Right Worshipful Frederick L. Putnam Past Grand Lecturer and Honorary Member of Friendship Lodge, whose wise counsel and assistance began even before our charter was granted.

The spirit of generosity and rendering service, which existed at the beginning of Friendship Lodge, when officers and members contributed money, materials and labor to furnish the lodge room, has prevailed down through time to our present Square and Compass Club and our members. Interior decorations, extensive repairs and our up-to-date kitchen are but a few of their contributions to the craft.

Friendship is comparatively a small lodge, our membership standing at 268 at this writing, and although our growth has been at a healthy rate, the field from which we may expect desirable applicants is limited.

The foregoing is intended to be only a brief sketch of some of the important facts concerning our lodge, with the thought that it may refresh the memories of our older Brethren and give our younger members a glimpse into the past.

With the lodge entirely free from debt, a spirit of cooperation and harmony prevailing, and having maintained the tradition of good Masonry since the granting of our charter, it is felt that our members, young and old, can look back at the record with pride and without regrets.