Difference between revisions of "Grecian"

Revision as of 03:26, 28 July 2013

GRECIAN LODGE

Location: Methuen; Lawrence (1856)

Chartered By: John Abbot

Charter Date: 12/14/1825 III-562

Precedence Date: 12/14/1825

Current Status: merged with Tuscan-Phoenician Lodge to form Lawrence United Lodge, 12/10/1986.

PAST MASTERS

Need living PMs

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Charter: 1825
• Petition for Restoration: 1847
• Consolidation Petition (with Tuscan-Phoenician Lodge): 1986

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1925 (Centenary)
• 1950 (125th Anniversary)
• 1975 (150th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1826 (District Deputy John Bartlett; Constitution of Lodge and installation)
• 1872 (Nickerson; Lawrence hall dedication)
• 1886 (Howland)
• 1919 (L. Abbott; Welcome Home Night for Veterans)
• 1921 (Prince; Joint meeting with all Lawrence lodges)
• 1922 (Prince; Lawrence hall cornerstone laying)
• 1925 (Ferrell; Centenary; Special Communication; noted in Grand Master's address 1926)
• 1950 (Keith; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1952 (Roy)
• 1963 (Osgood; reception for Junior Grand Warden Frederick G. Caspar)
• 1975 (Maxwell; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1976 (Maxwell)
• 1987 (Ames; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1870 1875 1880 1881 1894 1898 1902 1904 1909 1912 1913 1916 1920 1931 1933 1934 1948 1952 1957 1958 1960 1961 1962 1965 1970 1975 1981 1982

HISTORY

• 1925 (Centenary History, 1925-419)
• 1935 (Notes on anti-Masonic period in 75th Anniversary History of John Hancock Lodge, 1935-161)
• 1950 (125th Anniversary History, 1950-251)
• 1960 (Notes on early history in Centenary History of John Hancock Lodge, 1960-181)
• 1975 (150th Anniversary History, 1975-179)

OTHER

• 1856 (Report on jurisdictional dispute, VI-37)

EVENTS

INSTALLATION, JANUARY 1849

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 4, February 1849, p. 137:

GRECIAN LODGE, LAWRENCE.

The officers of the above Lodge were publicly installed at the Lecture Room of the Congregational Society, in Lawrence, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 6. St. Matthew's Lodge, from Andover, and Pentucket Lodge, from Lowell, were present. The ceremonies of Installation devolved upon R. W. Br. G. G. Smith, of Boston. The following are the Officers:—

• Benjamin Boardman, W. M.
• Leonard Stoddard, S. W.
• John B. Atkinson, J. W.
• Fairfield White, Trees.
• David Dana, Sec
• Thomas Wright, S. D.
• John McGregor, J. D.
• Rev. George H. Clark, Chaplain
• George A. Lloyd, S. S.
• Andrew J. Anderson, J. S.
• Bartlett D. Crockett, Tyler.

The ceremonies of Installation having been concluded, (says the Lawrence Courier,) the audience, comprising about six hundred persons, listened attentively for about three-fourths of an hour, to an address by R. W. Rev. Geo. M. Randall, Deputy Grand Master, of Boston. At the conclusion of the services at the church, the Masons, with their wives and families, and a large number of invited guests, repaired to Masonic Hall, where a collation had been provided. The tables were spread in good taste, and the remains at the conclusion of the repast gave ample proof that they proffered plenty as well as hospitality. The company was large, and if conviviality and pleas ant countenances can be taken as an index to the general gratification of the assembly, it would be difficult to find a happier company than the one here congregated. The company broke up about half-past ten o'clock.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, JUNE 1856

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XV, No. 10, August 1856, p. 309:

Grecian Lodge, at Lawrence Mass. celebrated the 24th, on its own account, and in a very commendable manner; for the following particulars of which, we are indebted to the Lawrence Sentinel: —

Tuesday the 24th, being the festival of St. John the Baptist, to whom all Masonic Lodges are dedicated, was observed by the craft of this city in a peculiar manner. It is customary, in Masonic observations of this day, to have a public address, an ode, &c; but the craft connected with Grecian Lodge in this city, preferred a pleasant and social excursion. Arrangements were accordingly made for a general mustering of the Order, residing here and at Andover and Methuen, with their wives, daughters and sweet-hearts, and some of the good fellows in town, with the same attaches, among whom were the editors of the Courier and the Sentinel, and were successful.

At an early hour in the A. M., of the 24th, the company assembled at the Lodge room, where a procession was formed, which, preceded by the Lawrence Brass Band, marched up Essex Street to the Depot, where they took the cars for Salem. Arrived at Salem, the company embarked upon the steamer Argo, Capt. Bracy, which, after a short but pleasant sail, landed at Lowell Island, where they spent the day in quiet luxury. The company numbered over an hundred and fifty, full one half of whom were ladies. The sports and pleasures of the day were as varied as the tastes of so large a company must necessarily be; some danced, some sang, some bathed, some played at bagatelle, others at billiards, while many rambled over the rocks and shores of the Island ; all were happy and everywhere the cheering smile and sparkling eye told how deep the enjoyment was.

It would be folly to crack on a dinner, which Larrabee gets up. Every one knows the character and reputation of his table, which, on this occasion was fully appreciated and had ample justice done to it.

At six o'clock, P. M., we bade adieu to the Island and its landlord, and embarked on board our cosy craft again. We steamed out into the bay and partook of old Ocean's genuine breath, then heading about passed on the opposite side of the light house, on our way up. We found the train waiting for us at the wharf, which soon started with us for home. We arrived at Lawrence, soon after eight. Thus terminated one of the most pleasant and agreeable jaunts, which we ever enjoyed. No accident or untoward circumstance occurred to mar the general pleasures. The whole company are loud in their praises of the arrangement,.the Band, the ride, the boat, the Island, and all that conduced to the general enjoyment and happiness.

OFFICIAL VISIT, OCTOBER 1856

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVI, No. 2, November 1856, Page 59:

From the Lawrence Sentinel of October 25th:

Grecian Lodge, in this city, received the annual visitation of D. D. G. M. Hon. Peter Lawson, with his suite, on the evening of Friday, the 17th inst. The usual exercises were conducted at their Lodge room, where a large number of the Craft were in attendance; after which, the company repaired to the Franklin House, and sat down to an excellent supper, provided by Capt. Decker. At the supper the Ladies of the Brethren appeared and enlivened the occasion with their presence.

The following toasts were read and responded to by Bros. Lawson, Edson, Gardner, and Pulman, of Lowell, Davis, of Boston; Abbott and Sanborn, of Andover; Boardman, Wright, Stoddard, and Sargent, of Lawrence:

• The R. W. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts — The blazing star in the centre of our trestle-board; as it was the earliest, so may it be the steadiest and purest star, in the constellation of American Freemasonry.
• The R. W. Peter Lawson, D. D. G. M. — Eminent for Masonic knowledge. Whether representing this district in an honorable and responsible office, or in his private capacity as an observant traveller among foreign Masonic bodies; everywhere the friend and the pride of this Masonic district.
• Merrimack Lodge, Haverhill — May our fraternal intercourse last as long as the beautiful stream, from which she takes her name, runs past our respective jurisdictions.
• St. Matthew's Lodge, Andover — She meets on a high hill, we in a low vale; she, at the seat of learning, we, at that of labor; our fraternal intercourse is an evidence of that intimate connection, which Masonry recognizes between education and employment.
• Pentucket Lodge, Lowell — An older laborer in a manufacturing city, than we; when our work equals hers, we shall be content.
• Ancient York Lodge, Lowell — A brilliant example of the Masonic demands of the present day; as a lodge of strict observance, we look up to her.
• The memory of Washington, Warren, Franklin, and other Masonic worthies — May we emulate their virtues, as we follow their work.
• Our worthy Past-Masters — Our present condition shows how truly they worked, and kept their "hieroglyphic bright."
• Woman —While she is excluded from our Lodge-room, she reigns, uncontrolled, in our hearts. We welcome her to our festive board.

The present occasion—May this not be the last j may the good time which has come to-night, be always coming.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Frederick G. Caspar, DDGM, District 11 (Lawrence), 1950, 1951; Junior Grand Warden 1963; N
• John R. Hay, DDGM, District 11 (Lawrence), 1986, 1987
• Charles H. Littlefield, DDGM, District 10 (Lawrence), 1895; Memorial
• Arthur D. Marble, DDGM, District 11 (Lawrence), 1913; Memorial
• Eugene G. Oldfield, DDGM, District 11 (Lawrence), 1974, 1975; N
• Henry D. Ramm, DDGM, District 11 (Lawrence), 1962, 1963; Senior Grand Warden 1971; N
• Gustav A. Stachelhaus, DDGM, District 11 (Lawrence), 1938, 1939; Memorial
• Charles A. Stone, DDGM, District 11 (Lawrence), 1922, 1923; Memorial

DISTRICTS

1825: District 2

1856: District 3

1867: District 6 (Newburyport)

1883: District 10 (Lawrence)

1911: District 11 (Lawrence)

1927: District 11 (Lawrence)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges