Hampshire2
Contents
HAMPSHIRE LODGE
Chartered by Massachusetts Grand Lodge
Location: Northampton
Chartered by: John Warren
Charter Date: 01/30/1784 I-314
Precedence Date: 01/30/1784
Current Status: unknown; removed by 1804, likely 1796 by edict.
YEARS
1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796
HISTORY
From the 125th Anniversary History of Jerusalem Lodge, Page 1922-138:
. . . the first Masonic Lodge located in Northampton was Hampshire Lodge, chartered in 1784, the year following the close of the Revolutionary War. Who were its founders, how long it flourished, and when it ceased to exist, we have been unable to discover.
Practically the only authentic information is gleaned from the notations that appear on the records of the Massaehusetts Grand Lodge. In acldition to the records of the granting of its Charter, we note that Hampshire Lodge was represented in the Grand Lodge in 1785 by Worshipful Brother General Benjamin Tappen and in 1786 by Elisha Porter. The records show that Hampshire Lodge was represented in the Grand Lodge at a total of nine regular sessions.
In the record of 1792, the last mention is made of the Lodge in question. Under date of September 7, 1787, we find this interesting entry in the Grand Lodge records :
"Hampshire Lodge has passed a vote that the names of Daniel Shays, Luke Day and Elijay Day who are members of that Lodge, to be transmitted to the Grand Lodge to be recorded with infamy, in consequence of their conduct in the late Rebellion."
Daniel Shays was the chief leader in the insurrection against the Government after the Revolutionary War known as Shays' Rebellion. The action of old Hampshire Lodge more than a century ago proves that in all ages Masonic principles demand of its members loyalty to government and obedience to law.
