Huntington

From MasonicGenealogy
Revision as of 01:31, 5 December 2014 by Hotc1733 (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

HUNTINGTON LODGE

Original dispensation as United Lodge; changed name to Huntington before chartering.

Location: Huntington; Russell (1955)

Chartered By: Charles C. Dame

Charter Date: 12/11/1867 VII-192

Precedence Date: 11/30/1866

Current Status: merged with Federal Lodge to form Huntington-Federal Lodge, 09/27/1995.


PAST MASTERS

  • Alfred M. Copeland, 1868, 1869, 1871
  • B. H. Kagwin, 1870
  • Edward Pease, 1872, 1873, 1878
  • Charles Fay, 1874, 1875
  • Myron L. Church, 1876, 1877
  • James Phillips, 1879
  • Edward Albert Allen, 1880-1883, 1887
  • Austin Hancock, 1884, 1885, 1889
  • Benjamin H. Ellis, 1886
  • Samuel K. Lyman, 1888, 1890-1892
  • James H. Dickinson, 1893-1895, 1897, 1898
  • Jabez Matthews, 1896
  • Fred Bliss, 1899
  • Leonard F. Hardy, 1900, 1901
  • Forest C. Patterson, 1902, 1903
  • John P. Gould, 1904, 1905
  • Charles H. Mack, 1906
  • Charles E. Hamblin, 1907
  • Lyle G. Mambert, 1908; SN
  • Charles E. Crafts, 1909
  • Joseph G. Oliver, 1910, 1911
  • Albert H. Stanton, 1912, 1913
  • Walter B. Cady, 1914, 1915
  • Irving L. Pomeroy, 1916, 1917
  • Martin G. Goehring, 1918
  • Frederick J. Heine, 1919
  • Archie A. Goudreau, 1920
  • Joseph P. Cross, 1921
  • Joseph G. Davidson, 1922
  • Charles Davidson, Jr., 1923
  • Fred E. May, 1924
  • Clayton H. Kyle, 1925
  • Almon G. Knox, 1926
  • Norman W Byron, 1927
  • Charles Edward Higgins, 1928
  • William F. Schultz, 1929, 1946
  • David M. Dalrymple, 1930
  • Vernon A. Shattuck, 1931, 1947, 1948
  • S. Ira Lindsey, 1932
  • Harold W. Walkinshaw, 1933; SN
  • Percival P. Goulding, 1934
  • Henry C. Johnson, 1935; N
  • James B. Hoerner, 1936, 1937
  • Merwin F. Packard, 1938
  • Clarence Stout, 1939
  • Harold Hendrickson, 1940
  • Norman A. Walkinshaw, 1941
  • Carl D. Meredith, 1942
  • Maynard D. Ellis, 1943
  • Roy H. Packard, 1944
  • Ralph S. Harden, 1945
  • Frederick A. Schultz, 1946
  • Harold A. Pomeroy, 1949
  • Kenneth F. Liegerot, 1950
  • A. Peter Huffmire, 1951
  • Earl F. Maxwell, 1952
  • Gustave Sell, 1953
  • George E. Fox, 1954
  • Harold Balin, 1955
  • Harold J. Rubideau, 1956
  • Donald W. Bush, 1957; SN
  • Stanley C. Markey, 1958; N
  • Gordon W. Warden, 1959
  • Warren H. Smith, 1960
  • Floyd E. Fountain, Jr., 1961
  • Robert Ellershaw, 1962, 1967
  • Warren H. Russell, 1963
  • Robert L. Strickland, 1964
  • Frederick N. Stiteler, Jr., 1965, 1970; N
  • Gordon Craig, 1966
  • Hollis McCready, 1968
  • Milton C. Shepard, 1969
  • Alexander W. Reduker, Jr., 1971, 1978
  • Eugene H. Pike, Jr., 1972, 1977, 1981
  • Richard Ray Russell, 1973
  • Peter H. McCready, 1974, 1976
  • Dwain G. Poulin, 1975
  • James R. Hitchcock, 1979, 1980
  • A. Bruce Gage, 1982, 1983
  • Donald Sidney Dorrington, 1984, 1985
  • Robert A. Goewey, III, 1986, 1995; PDDGM
  • James T. Harrelson, 1987, 1990
  • Stephen D. Miller, 1988, 1989
  • Kenneth V. Ellsworth, 1991
  • Craig T. Vermes, 1992, 1993
  • Thomas F. Boyer, 1994

Continued with Huntington-Federal Lodge.


REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • 1864 (Petition for Dispensation as United Lodge, 07/14; changed name to Huntington before chartering)
  • 1865 (Return of Dispensation, lodge dissolved)
  • 1866 (Petition for Dispensation as Huntington Lodge, 11/13: VII-138)
  • 1867 (Petition for Charter, 12/11: VII-193; granted)
  • 1885 (Petition for Charter to replace an original charter destroyed by fire, 09/09: 1885-81; granted)
  • 1955 (Petition to amend Charter to remove from Huntington to Russell, 06/08: 1955-151; granted)
  • 1995 (Petition for Charter with Federal, as Huntington-Federal, 03/08: 1995-38; granted)
  • 1995 (Consolidation with Federal Lodge, 09/27: 1995-363)

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1941 (75th Anniversary, 10/22: 1941-302)
  • 1966 (100th Anniversary, 11/19: 1966-370)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

  • 1883 (Lawrence; 10/16: 1883-232)
    • Quote: "the journey of 238 miles, going and returning, which, however, I did not begrudge."
  • 1883 (Lawrence; remarks on commutation, 11/14: 1883-232)
  • 1928 (Simpson; 05/25: 1928-304)
  • 1941 (Schaefer; 75th Anniversary, 10/22: 1941-237; Special Communication)
  • 1959 (Jenkins; Dedication of Masonic Temple and mortgage burning, 05/02: 1959-89; Special Communication)
  • 1966 (Booth; Centenary of Huntington Lodge, 11/19: 1966-273; Special Communication)
  • 1990 (Darling; 06/20: 1990-150)
  • 1995 (Lovering; Consolidation with Federal Lodge as Huntington-Federal, 09/27: 1995-228; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1876 1878 1884 1895 1898 1912 1914 1920 1921 1923 1925 1926 1927 1931 1932 1937 1942 1949 1951 1957 1961 1962 1973 1976 1990 1992 1994

HISTORY

  • 1915 (Notes at Constitution of Federal Lodge, 1915-10; see below)
  • 1941 (75th Anniversary History, 1941-237; see below)

NOTES AT CONSTITUTION OF FEDERAL LODGE, FEBRUARY 1915

From Grand Master's Address, Proceedings, Page 1915-10:

The first Masonic meeting ever held in Chester, the actual date of which can be definitely established, was an informal meeting of Masons from Russell, Huntington, and Chester held at Chester, May 31, 1864, to consult concerning the formation of a new Masonic Lodge for the better accommodation of the Masons in said towns. Rev. Joseph Hutchinson of Russell was chosen President and D. B. Judd of Chester was chosen as Secretary. A committee of five was appointed to carry out the general design of the Brethren present in such preliminary steps as should be deemed advisable, and it was voted that the name of the new Lodge should be "United Lodge." On motion, the meeting adjourned to Huntington, Mass., June 11, 1864. At this latter date the committee previously chosen were authorized to prepare a petition to be presented to Mount Moriah Lodge asking consent for the establishment of a new Lodge at Huntington, and to obtain signatures to said petition and take proper action concerning securing a hall. Rev. Brother Hutchinson, of Russell, was chosen by acclamation as the first Master; Bro. Benjamin F. Field, of Chester, was chosen as Senior Warden, and Bro. E. H. Lathrop, of Huntington, as Junior Warden. They met again on July 9, 1864, and again on November 10th of the same year. The records of this last named meeting begin as follows:

"After a long interregnum a call was issued by the W. M., summoning the Brethren to meet at Huntington at 7 p. m. November 10th. For months we had waited and waited for our Dispensation from the Grand Master. At length, wearied by what seemed to us an unnecessarily long delay, a letter was sent to the Grand Master enquiring the Why & the Wherefore. By return mail came a reply that a "Dispensation" had been issued and forwarded to us, bearing date: July 20th, 1864 — A.L. 5864. On being assured that no such Dispensation had ever reached us, a new "Dispensation" bearing Date September 1st, 1864 — A.L. 5864 was sent us. Under this Dispensation the M.W. Bro. J. Hutchinson summoned us to convene and prepare for action."

The Grand Master's Address on December 27, 1864, states that on July 14th of that year he granted a Dispensation to United Lodge of Huntington, eighteen Brethren being named therein. This original Dispensation I herewith exhibit. (1864 Mass. 88.) It seems that this Dispensation by a mistake was missent (1864 Mass. 108). A new Dispensation was issued under date of September 4, 1864, and that also I herewith exhibit for your information. Under this Dispensation the Brethren held their first regular communication on November 22, 1864, at which an application was received. On December 13, 1864, By-laws were adopted. From then on, meetings were held regularly until March 15, 1865, when all the Lodge property was destroyed by fire. An Emergent Communication held on March 21, 1865, concluded that the loss to the Lodge amounted to $350. Mount Moriah Lodge, of Westfield, kindly offered the use of its hall and regalia. The Brethren became discouraged, but nevertheless continued to hold meetings, that of May, 1865, being held in the office of the Junior Warden. In June they met and worked on the 16th in the quarters of Mount Moriah Lodge, of Westfield. No meeting was then held until September 5, 1865, when they again met in the office of Bro. E. H. Lathrop, Junior Warden, in Huntington. The Lodge was found to be in debt $167.78, and the question of discontinuing the Lodge was discussed, but the sentiment at the time was in favor of going forward. Apparently, however, no further meeting was held. November 9, 1865, the Records and Proceedings of the Lodge, together with the Dispensation, were returned to the Most Worshipful Grand Master, who stated in his Address that, "United Lodge at Huntington, having lost their all by fire, are discouraged, and will probably return their Dispensation" (1865 Mass. 37).

The District Deputy Grand Master in his report to the Grand Master for the year 1865 states as follows: "United Lodge, which has been under Dispensation at Huntington, had its Lodge-room and entire contents burned early in the year, and after careful consideration, decided, in view of the circumstances, — several changes having taken place since the Dispensation was issued, — that it was not advisable to go on, and so returned its Dispensation." (1865 Mass. 77). Seven candidates received their degrees during Dispensation, one was rejected, and the application of one was returned for lack of release from another Lodge. The only candidate from Chester who received his Degrees was Bro. B. B. Eastman, a mechanic. I am unable to learn how many of the Brethren named in the Dispensation were residents of Chester, but have brought Brother Eastman's original application, the two Dispensations, the records of the Lodge while under Dispensation, and its By-laws, for their historical interest upon this occasion. This was United Lodge.

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1941

From Proceedings, Page 1941-237:

By Worshipful Joseph G. Oliver

In compiling a history of Huntington Lodge covering the seventy-five years of its existence, your historian has been much handicapped by the loss of all Masonic records prior to 1885, when the building in which they were kept was burned. However, through the kindness of Right Worshipful Brother Frank H. Hilton, our present Grand Secretary, I have been furnished with the necessary dates that locate the beginning of the Lodge. I have been through the records since 1885 and have picked out, and herein present to you, some of the principal events that have become a part of the life of the Lodge. I may have overlooked some things that would have impressed some members, and may have incorporated others that could have been omitted, but as many of the present members are descendants of Masons of long standing, I have tried to recall happenings that would be of interest to the majority of persons.

Sometime in 1866, sixteen members of our ancient and beloved order, realizing that Mount Moriah in Westfield was the nearest Lodge, and undoubtedly finding that the twelve mile trip by team was quite an effort, decided to petition the Grand Lodge for a charter to establish a Lodge in Huntington. A dispensation was granted November 13, 1866, and the charter was granted December 13, 1867. It was signed by Charles C. Dame, Grand Master, and by Charles W. Moore, Grand Secretary. The date of dispensation, or precedence as it is called, is the beginning of a Lodge. Therefore, Huntington Lodge was started seventy-five years ago next month.

The following are the Charter Members and their affiliations at that time:

The Lodge was constituted December 21, 1867, by Most Worshipful Charles C. Dame, Grand Master, who installed the first corps of officers. Records, however, fail to show who those officers were. The first knowledge of the officers was in the return to the Grand Lodge August 31, 1868, and shows the rollowing in the chairs at that time:

  • A. M. Copeland, Worshipful Master
  • 
W. A. Little
, Senior Warden
  • W. D. Kites, Junior Warden
  • E. G. Munson, Treasurer
  • J. D. Parks, Secretary
  • B. H. Kagwin, Senior Deacon
  • F. Goodhind,
 Junior Deacon
  • E. Pease, Chaplain
  • H. Heath, Marshal
  • H. D. Hatch, Senior Steward
  • Frank Smith, Junior Steward
  • W. S. Tinker, Tyler

No mention was made of I. S. or Organist.

Another record in the list of Lodges under date of 1870 gives Nov. 30, 1866, as the date of dispensation, and Dec. 30, 1867, as the date of the charter. Possibly the difference in dates may be explained by one date being when the vote was taken and the other when the vote was fulfilled and the legal papers made out. The following are the Districts in which the Lodge was located during the seventy-five years. The changes probably were necessary owing to the increase of new Lodges which overloaded a particular district.

No record can be found where meetings were held during the first few years, but from inquiries made among some of the oldest inhabitants, it is presumed the meetings were held in a building which was located between the river and the railroad at the Main Street bridge. That was the bridge which crossed the river at the Cross Drug Store, and the one which was removed in 1938 when the large Robert Packer Cross Bridge, which spans the river and railroad directly behind our Masonic Temple, was erected. Grand Lodge records tell us that rooms were dedicated Feb. 28, 1871, by a full corps of District Deputy Grand Officers, and probably were located in the same building owned by Worshipful Brother Myron L. Church, the fifth Master, who had a general store on the first floor of the building. This was the building burned in 1885 and was undoubtedly where the Lodge met from its beginning until the building was destroyed.

It was on Sunday morning, August 9, 1885, that the fire occurred and all records and regalia of the Lodge were lost, with the exception of the Junior Warden's jewel, which happened at that time to be in some member's home for repairs.

August 14, 1885, Abraham H. Howland, Jr., Grand Master, by a special dispensation, empowered the Lodge to convene in a suitable place, which might be available for such purposes, within the Town of Huntington and until otherwise directed.

At a regular meeting held Aug. 19, 1885, it was voted that a committee be appointed to petition the Grand Lodge for a certified copy of the charter. The committee consisted of Worshipful Master Austin T. Hancock, Worshipful Brother E. A. Allen and Brother Lyman T. Ring. A committee was also appointed to negotiate for the use of the Town Hall for meetings. It was evident that Hampden Lodge loaned our Lodge some jewels and presented them with collars, as a vote of thanks was extended at this meeting.

A report to the Grand Lodge on Aug. 31, 1885, showed a total of one hundred and nine members.

On Oct. 16, 1883, the records show that the Lodge was honored by a fraternal visit from Grand Master Samuel C. Lawrence. On Nov. 14, 1883, Grand Master Lawrence made another visit with reference to the financing of the Masonic Temple in Boston. Aug. 26, 1886, by special dispensation, Huntington Lodge convened in Jerusalem Lodge in Northampton and assisted the Grand Lodge in the laying of the corner stone for the new Court House.

Much effort and time was spent in securing new lodge-rooms after the fire, until the problem was solved when Worshipful Brother Edward Pease built on the site of the burned building. In it were provided rooms large enough and suitable for meetings. The rooms were dedicated Nov. 16, 1887, by (a) District Deputy Grand Master Lodge, which convened there for that purpose. After the dedication, the Lodge was closed in form ind all repaired to the hotel, where they partook of a "most toothsome spread." As the Grand Officers had to wait several hours for their train, and finding that there was a candidate in waiting, all went back to the lodge-room, and opening on the Entered Apprentice Degree, conferred that degree on William M. Cooper of Chester. In view of the fact that more than one meeting cannot be held on the same day, the midnight hour must have struck before the second meeting was opened. It seems worth while to say, at this time and date, that fifty attended the spread and the bill was $11.00!!

It was in those rooms that meetings were held until we purchased this building in 1920 from the Second Congregational Society, when they united with the Baptist Society into the Federated Church.

At a meeting June 8, 1892, an invitation was received to lay the corner stone of the new Murrayfield School. As there were no records of a meeting to that end, the Lodge probably did not do so, but the members attended only as individuals.

May 25, 1904, Hampden Lodge made a fraternal visit, presenting our Lodge with a handsome gavel, suitably inscribed, which has been used ever since, and which at this moment rests on the pedestal in front of the Worshipful Master. Hampden Lodge has been ever watchful of us.

It was on Oct. 31, 1917, that we celebrated our fiftieth anniversary. A committee of five had been appointed and consisted of Worshipful Brother Charles E. Hamblin as Chairman and Worshipful Brothers A. H. Stanton and T. A. McCrea and Brothers H. T. Boynton and Finley Bower. Right Worshipful L. G. Mambert presented the Lodge's history. Worshipful Master I. L. Pomeroy welcomed the Brethren and Worshipful Brother Edward Pease, oldest living Charter Member, responded. Worshipful Brother Clarence A. Brodeur gave the address of the evening.

In the early 1920s our membership was two hundred and eight, but through the various episodes of life and with the long economic depression of the recently passed years, it has been reduced to one hundred and thirty. On May 25, 1928, Grand Master Frank L. Simpson and suite made a fraternal visit to a joint meeting of Federal and Huntington Lodges in Huntington. At that time honor medals were given to Brothers O. Scott Pomeroy and Homer H. Smith of Huntington Lodge and Brother John Rainville of Federal Lodge. Since Brother E. H. Cross was unable to be present, his medal was delivered to him by his son, Worshipful Brother Joseph P. Cross.

To the Past Masters we must give a great deal of credit for the success of the Lodge. The support they have given with their continued attendance at meetings down through the years, following their leadership in the East, has left its mark. Without them discouragement might have taken root among the younger members when the load seemed too heavy to bear. The spirit of Brotherly Love, rightly placed, always brings achievement. In the early years of the Lodge, Masters sometimes served several years, some going out of office and later called to serve again in the East.

There have been only forty-six Masters during the seventy-live years, of whom twenty-nine are now living. From this it is evident that some served more than one year. In fact, two served five years, one four years, three served three years, ten served two years and thirty for one year. The first thirty years of the Lodge were served by only eleven Masters which, in itself, shows their interest in Freemasonry. Since 1906, only five have served two years, all the others serving one year each. One of those who served five years is our oldest Past Master, Worshipful Brother James H. Dickinson. He was Worshipful Master in 1893-94-95 and again in 97 and 98. He is not with us tonight, being unable to come from his home in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. In the Secretary's records of a meeting held Nov. 15, 1899, is the following quotation:

"A vote of thanks and appreciation was extended to Past Master James H. Dickinson for the faithful manner with which he has presided over the Lodge during the five years that he has served as Master."

The list herein recorded tells who these Masters were:

PAST MASTERS OF HUNTINGTON LODGE

  • Alfred M. Copeland*, 1868, 1869, 1871
  • B. H. Kagwin*, 1870
  • Edward Pease*, 1872, 1873, 1878
  • Charles Fay*, 1874, 1875
  • Myron L. Church*, 1876, 1877
  • James Phillips*, 1879
  • Edward Albert Allen*, 1880-1883, 1887
  • Austin Hancock*, 1884, 1885, 1889
  • Benjamin H. Ellis*, 1886
  • Samuel K. Lyman*, 1888, 1890-1892
  • James H. Dickinson, 1893-1895, 1897, 1898
  • Jabez Matthews*, 1896
  • Fred Bliss*, 1899
  • Leonard F. Hardy, 1900, 1901
  • Forest C. Patterson*, 1902, 1903
  • John P. Gould, 1904, 1905
  • Charles H. Mack, 1906
  • Charles E. Hamblin, 1907
  • Lyle Guy Mambert*, 1908
  • Charles E. Crafts*, 1909
  • Joseph G. Oliver, 1910, 1911
  • Albert H. Stanton*, 1912, 1913
  • Walter B. Cady, 1914, 1915
  • Irving L. Pomeroy, 1916, 1917
  • Martin G. Goehring, 1918
  • Frederick J. Heine*, 1919
  • Archie A. Goudreau, 1920
  • Joseph P. Cross, 1921
  • Joseph G. Davidson, 1922
  • Charles Davidson, Jr., 1923
  • Fred E. May, 1924
  • Clayton H. Kyle, 1925
  • Almon G. Knox, 1926
  • Norman W. Byron, 1927
  • Charles E. Higgins, 1928
  • William F. Schultz, 1929
  • David M. Dalrymple, 1930
  • Vernon A. Shattuck, 1931
  • S. Ira Lindsey, 1932
  • Harold W. Walkinshaw, 1933
  • Percival P. Goulding, 1934
  • Henry C. Johnson, 1935
  • James B. Hoerner, 1936, 1937
  • Merwin F. Packard, 1938
  • Clarence Stout, 1939
  • Harold Hendrickson, 1940
 * Deceased.

Our Lodge has been honored by the appointment of two District Deputy Grand Masters. One was our late Right Worshipful Brother Lyle Guy Mambert; the other is the present official representative of the Grand Lodge, Right Worshipful Brother Henry Chester Johnson, who is with us here tonight.

Our oldest living member is Brother Homer H. Smith of Chester. Brother Smith was raised in Huntington Lodge Sept. 10, 1873, and therefore is a Mason of sixty-eight years standing. Brother Fred A. Clapp has been a member for sixty-two years, having been raised Feb. 5, 1879, and Brother Munroe Todd a member for fifty-seven years, having been raised Sept. 24, 1884.

Like most Lodges that attempted to own their own buildings, especially where the building has been exclusively used by the Lodge, it has been a financial problem. After taking over the present building, it was necessary to make alterations, the better to fit it for the Fraternity's use, which caused a mortgage to be placed thereon. This has been a great handicap, and on account of a small membership we have been unable to pay it off.

Probably our Lodge suffered its worst defeat when Federal Lodge was started in our neighboring town of Chester. At that time we had twenty-two members from that town. Many continued to hold dual membership, but in time twenty of them left us, and today we have only two that still belong to Huntington Lodge. Yet what is our loss is Chester's gain, and the fraternal friendship and individual fondness we have for the members of Federal Lodge typifies the cement of brotherly love and affection that is taught us in our ritual.

To us this cloud of doubt and despair has broken and disclosed the promised silver lining. It was while trying to find a solution to our troubles that one of our Past Masters, through his love for our Ancient and Honorable Fraternity, and in keeping with that generosity and goodness that has made him an outstanding citizen of our town and a credit to our Fraternity, gave us the glimpse of the silver lining. The mortgage of $2,900.00 was ever before us. It was here that Worshipful Brother Charles Earle Hamblin said, and I quote, "If you raise the $900.00, I will give $2000.00." We all know what that means and so tonight we are burning the only mortgage that is or ever was recorded against our Temple.

In conclusion, may I say that through the efforts and assistance of many of the Brethren the required amount has been raised, and tonight Huntington Lodge enters a new era that should stimulate Masonry in the heart of every member. So mote it be.

OTHER


EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, DECEMBER 1867

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVII, No. 4, February 1868, Page 102:

This new Lodge was constituted by the Grand Lodge, on December 21, in due and ancient form. It has been at work the past year with considerable success, and though located in a small village in the mountains of Hampshire, the members feel encouraged that they shall be able to make it a strong and healthy Lodge. Their present hall is not suitable for their purpose, it being the town hall; but measures are on foot to supply this deficiency by the erection of a new one. The brethren are zealous, and we wish them the success they deserve.


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1867: District 9 (Pittsfield)

1873: District 10 (Springfield)

1883: District 15 (Pittsfield)

1907: District 16 (Springfield)

1911: District 18 (Springfield)

1927: District 18 (Springfield)


LINKS