Difference between revisions of "Jerusalem"

Revision as of 17:06, 13 November 2014 (view source) Hotc1733 (Talk | contribs) ← Older edit		Revision as of 04:10, 16 November 2014 (view source) Hotc1733 (Talk | contribs) Newer edit →
Line 18:		Line 18:
	''Meetings suspended between 1829 and 1845, but charter not surrendered.''		''Meetings suspended between 1829 and 1845, but charter not surrendered.''
		+
		+	==== MEMBER LIST, 1802 ====
		+
		+	''From '''Vocal Companion and Masonic Register''', Boston, 1802, Part II, Page 20:''
		+
		+	* R. W. Daniel Stebbins, M.
		+	* W. Hezekiah Alvord, S. W.
		+	* W. Nathaniel Fobes, J. W.
		+	* John Bennet, Sec.
		+	* Samuel Alvord, Tr.
		+	* Justin Alvord, Deacon.
		+	* Wm. B. Watson, Deacon.
		+	* Ezrac Day, Steward.
		+	* Asa Clark, Steward.
		+	* Levi Judd, Tiler.
		+	''No. of Members'', 40.
		+
		+	* Joseph White
		+	* Elihu Dwight, P. M.
		+	* Hezekiah Russell
		+	* Robert B. Orr
		+	* Aaron Wright
		+	* Jesse Stebbins
		+	* Samuel Flower
		+	* Hon. Jonathan Smith
		+	* Amos Worthington
		+	* Gad Warriner
		+	* Lewis Warriner
		+	* Erastus Root
		+	* Thomas White
		+	* Aaron Bartlett
		+	* Lewis Smith
		+	* Levi Lyman
		+	* Azriel Warner
		+	* Ephraim Barrett
		+	* Lemuel Lamb, Jr.
		+	* Joseph Forward
		+	* Robert Boyd
		+	* Dimond Colton
		+	* Samuel White
	<hr>		<hr>

---

Revision as of 04:10, 16 November 2014

JERUSALEM LODGE

Location: South Hadley; Northampton (1802); Williamsburg (1807); Northampton (1817).

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 06/12/1797 II-100

Precedence Date: 06/12/1797

Current Status: Active

---

NOTES

Ionic (Easthampton) Lodge merged here, 04/12/2005.

Meetings suspended between 1829 and 1845, but charter not surrendered.

MEMBER LIST, 1802

From Vocal Companion and Masonic Register, Boston, 1802, Part II, Page 20:

• R. W. Daniel Stebbins, M.
• W. Hezekiah Alvord, S. W.
• W. Nathaniel Fobes, J. W.
• John Bennet, Sec.
• Samuel Alvord, Tr.
• Justin Alvord, Deacon.
• Wm. B. Watson, Deacon.
• Ezrac Day, Steward.
• Asa Clark, Steward.
• Levi Judd, Tiler.

No. of Members, 40.

• Joseph White
• Elihu Dwight, P. M.
• Hezekiah Russell
• Robert B. Orr
• Aaron Wright
• Jesse Stebbins
• Samuel Flower
• Hon. Jonathan Smith
• Amos Worthington
• Gad Warriner
• Lewis Warriner
• Erastus Root
• Thomas White
• Aaron Bartlett
• Lewis Smith
• Levi Lyman
• Azriel Warner
• Ephraim Barrett
• Lemuel Lamb, Jr.
• Joseph Forward
• Robert Boyd
• Dimond Colton
• Samuel White

---

PAST MASTERS

---

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Charter: 1797
• Consolidation Petition (with Ionic Lodge): 2004

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1898 (Centenary)
• 1912 (115th Anniversary)
• 1922 (125th Anniversary)
• 1947 (150th Anniversary)
• 1972 (175th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1882 (Lawrence)
• 1886 (Howland; courthouse cornerstone laying; Special Communication)
• 1889 (Endicott)
• 1898 (Hutchinson; 2 visits, including Centenary, Special Communication)
• 1901 (Gallagher)
• 1904 (Sanford)
• 1906 (Blake)
• 1912 (Benton; 115th Anniversary)
• 1916 (M. Johnson)
• 1917 (L. Abbott)
• 1921 (Prince)
• 1922 (Prince; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1929 (H. Dean)
• 1932 (Chipman; Washington Bicentennial)
• 1947 (Wragg; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1959 (A. Jenkins; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1972 (Vose; 175th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1986 (Richardson; Past Masters' Night)
• 1988 (Ames)
• 2005 (Hodgdon; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1876 1878 1882 1888 1889 1899 1904 1909 1911 1912 1913 1917 1919 1924 1926 1927 1928 1929 1931 1948 1950 1952 1953 1955 1956 1974 1977 1978 1982 2003 2004 2009 2012

HISTORY

• 1898 (Centenary History, 1898-73)
• 1922 (125th Anniversary History, 1922-138; see below)
• 1947 (150th Anniversary History, 1947-145)
• 1959 (History at Hall Dedication, 1959-270)
• 1972 (175th Anniversary History, 1972-151)

CENTENARY HISTORICAL ADDRESS, JUNE 1898

From Proceedings, Page 1898-73:

By Bro. William H. Riley.

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Worshipful Master and Brethren: A haze of uncertainty surrounds the natal day of Jerusalem Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the faithful historian must delve among the debris of tradition to find the foundation .stones upon which the noble temple of this great and evergrowing Order was constructed. While we know but little of the birth of this branch of the great body of Masonry, which has had such a far-reaching influence in the social, moral, intellectual and material welfare of this community, we know much of what followed. The records tell us of its chilly reception in a suspicious atmosphere when a mere lad; how it was dwarfed by the Morgan fiasco; its quick recovery later on, and then its healthy and vigorous growth to the full and honored manhood of the Order we find it to-night. Next to the church it is the oldest organization in this county and city, and no other society outside the church has had such an uplifting power in the community. Members of Jerusalem Lodge of Masons have ever been among, the leaders in everything that goes to make life worth the living.

Scientists tell us that the silent forces in nature are much more powerful than those attended by great noise and disturbance, so we can with pleasure refer to the fact that no brass-band auxiliary was connected with the early life of Masonry in this section. Its work was quietly and efficiently done, and as far as we can learn there was no friction among the founders of this Lodge; no apple of discord came between any of the Brethren. All faithfully labored to bring forward the eternal principles upon which this Order is founded.

As we are joyfully celebrating the Centennial of Jerusalem Lodge, let us not flatter ourselves that Masonry first saw light here through this Lodge. As early as 1784, more than thirteen years before this Lodge was started, a few faithful spirits established Hampshire Lodge of Masons. Yet we know absolutely nothing of its work; its history is buried in oblivion; to us its life is a closed book. It is fair to surmise, however, that some of its members were among the founders of Jerusalem Lodge.

We have tangible evidence of the organization of Jerusalem Lodge in the original charter, dated June 13th, 1797, which was' preserved and sacredly kept when so many, were demanded and given up in the period of intolerance and bigotry. Twelve men, "good and true," asked for the charter from the Grand Lodge, of which the famous Paul Revere was Grand Master. This Grand Lodge reposed "special trust and confidence in the prudence and fidelity of our beloved Brethren above named," as the charter reads, and we have no evidence that there was a Judas in the original twelve who were designated to spread abroad the gospel of Masonry. Were it in our power, there are but two words in this charter which we would rather have different. Our satisfaction would be complete if in place of the words South Hadley" the word Northampton" could have been substituted. But history tells us that Jerusalem Lodge was established in South Hadley, by South Hadley men, and this fact we cannot change. Indeed, it was not until Sept. 8, 1817, that Jerusalem — fair daughter of Masonry — settled in Northampton and made here her permanent home. Prior to that date the Lodge led a sort of nomadic life, and like the Arab would meet at one place, then silently fold its tent and steal away. First the charter established the Lodge at South Hadley, then on March 8, 1802, we find an endorsement on the charter giving the Lodge the privilege of removing to Northampton. Again, on Sept. 14, 1807, the Grand Lodge gives the members authority to remove the Lodge to Williamsburg, and finally we find this endorsement: "Grand Lodge of Massachusetts at a Quarterly Communication held at Boston, Sept. 8, A.L. 5817, on petition of the officers and members of Jerusalem Lodge, leave was granted for the removal of said Lodge from the town of Williamsburg, to the town of Northampton, where in future their meetings are to be held." That record has never been changed.

Why the Lodge moved about in its early life is not definitely known. The records are silent upon the motives for these frequent changes of base, as upon other topics. A theory, not
likely to be disputed, in the absence of anything better, is that
it was because the members could not get about as quickly and
conveniently as in these days of steam and electric railroads.
So the meetings were passed around, as it were, for the con
venience of the members.

In this connection it should be mentioned that the meetings were usually held at two o'clock in the afternoon, and on the day of the month when there was a full moon. But some of the earlier records reveal the fact that the meetings were held for some years at nine o'clock in the morning. This hardly ' gave the farmers time to milk their cows, so we find this vote in one of the Secretary's reports: "It was voted that our next meeting be called at precisely two o'clock in the afternoon." It is of interest to note that although the meetings were held at what would seem to us very inconvenient hours, the average attendance in proportion to the membership compared very favorably with our records of to-day.

All we know about the Lodge-rooms at South Hadley is that the preliminary meetings were held at Bro. Simeon Goodman's house, and at Williamsburg the records tell us that the session's were held at Brother Hubbard's house. Now Brother Hubbard kept the old brick tavern in that town, and that is where Masons were made in those days. The following incident is vouched for by good authority: One night when a man was to be initiated, he was in waiting in the bar-room. When he was wanted the Brother opened what he supposed was the door to the bar-room, but instead it was the kitchen, so he jokingly called out: "Heat the gridirons red hot to-night." When the man heard those words he rushed from the bar-room and was never initiated in Jerusalem Lodge. In early years our Brethren met in taverns because it was more convenient and Halls were not plenty. But about 1815 a Hall was specially fitted up for the Order in what was known as the Colonnade Building, which stood near the site of the present Edwards Church.

When the town was a seaport and a canal ran through what is now State street, a few meetings were held in what was known as the "Bed Tavern," which stood where the Catholic Church now stands. Then for a short time sessions of the Lodge were held in a Hall in a building for a long time occupied by Silas M. Smith, in the rear of the Court House. This Hall was on the third floor of the building, and was subsequently occupied by Chauncy Colton as a workshop.

It was not until 1822 that the Lodge secured a Hall specially for its own use. About that time Capt. Isaac Damon erected the old Masonic Building on the corner of Main and Masonic streets, with the idea that the Masons would ultimately own the structure. When the Brethren renewed their strength after the Morgan troubles, meetings were held in the Odd Fellows Hall, which was then over what is now the Davis drug-store. Soon after, the Wright family came into possession of the old Masonic Hall, and it was handsomely fitted up by these Brethren and turned over to the Lodge. After the Wright failure the First National Bank secured the building, and the Masons were not able to make satisfactory arrangements about the rent, and again they moved. On Nov. 24, 1885, the commodious quarters in the Dickinson Block were formally dedicated, and there for twelve years the Brethren got along very happily together.

In 1894 a movement was inaugurated to secure, land for a modern Masonic Hall, and on Feb. 28, 1895, the land on which this structure stands was conveyed. to the Masonic Building Association, and in 1896 a corporation was formed to erect a building, As a result of the energetic and untiring efforts of the building committee, and the generous and hearty cooperation of the Brethren generally, the Masonic Bodies were able on February 1st of the present year to take formal possession of these magnificent quarters. In architectural beauty and modern appointments for everything for which it is designed, this building is beyond question the finest in western Massachusetts. Let every member resolve to-night to hold up the-hands of those who are carrying on this great financial enterprise, to the end that all our obligations may be kept, and that the building may ever be held sacred for the noble cause to which it will be so impressively dedicated at this time.

Much might be said about the men of South Hadley and Williamsburg who did so much to keep the Order intact in the days when it cost more, socially and politically, to be a Mason than it does to-day. They were the kind of men who had the brains and pluck to overcome all obstacles and give to New England a record of which the whole' country will ever be proud. But space will only allow a few words about those of old Northampton.

When the Lodge returned permanently to Northampton, the records tell us that the first meeting was held at Asahel Pomeroy's house. This Pomeroy was a man Of marked personal and mental qualities. He was a valiant soldier of the Revolutionary war, and after its'close, in 1794, he returned to this place and built what was subsequently known as the Warner House, which stood from that time until 1870, when it was destroyed by fire, on the site now occupied by the present Mansion House. The tavern or inn of "ye olden time" was a decided institution of a town, and the old Warner House was no exception. Pomeroy was a genial host, and the weary traveller, ushered into town with the blast of the horn and the crack of the driver's whip, was always glad to reach the Warner House, with its well-supplied larder and good beds. Pomeroy was of the "old-school" gentleman type, with strong likes and dislikes. In politics, as in everything else, he was not afraid to let his light shine; so when he offered his house for sale it was not a surprise to his friends to read oh the poster, "No Democrats need apply." It was in this house, in June, 1802, that were cradled and nurtured the timid Masons who had voted to remove the Lodge from South Hadley to Northampton. With such a sturdy New Englander as Asahel Pomeroy for its guardian angel, it is no wonder that the Lodge steadily grew in strength and vigor. Soon after this, Pomeroy gave up running a hotel and built a house on exactly the spot where this fine temple now stands. Thus it is very appropriate that we should return and build upon' the land waieh was once owned by our father in the faith.

Many and prominent were the men who held membership in the Lodge during its early life. They were found among the leaders in the political, mercantile and professional life, of the valley. Just take a glance at a few of the Worshipful Masters during the early years of its existence. Isaac C. Bates, a United States Senator, and otherwise prominent in professional and civil life; Charles E. Forbes, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts and founder of the Forbes Library; Joseph H. Flint and Daniel Stebbins, eminent in the medical profession; while the members who were leading business men could be named by the score. We find in the list a dozen ministers, a long line of doctors, two sheriffs, and last, for us all, two undertakers.

We are particularly fortunate in having with us a connect: ing link with the distant past in the person of Gen. B. E. Cook, who to-day is still hale and hearty, and who is without a doubt the oldest living Mason of this Lodge and the Connecticut Valley, if not in the State. Though nearly 95 years old, he enjoys to-day recalling the incidents of his early life. He was an active Mason long before the majority in this Hall to-night had seen the light of day.

Ten years after Jerusalem Lodge selected Northampton for its permanent home General Cook became a member. It was in 1827, or 71 years ago, that he entered the Lodge. This was just before the Morgan excitement, which he recalls very vividly. He remembers that during this season of discouragement a few of the faithful ones kept up their work and would not renounce their Masonic vows. He told me, only a few days ago, that two Brethren drove down from Greenfield and sat upon the timber which was being used to build the first railroad station here, for hours rehearsing the work of the different degrees with W. W. Partridge, himself and others. This was done on several different occasions, as they were determined not to give up the ship. There was a silver lining to the cloud which hung over Masonry for sixteen years, and when the. reorganization took place in 1845, the General was elected.Senior Warden. Subsequently he was chosen Worshipful Master, an office which he filled in a dignified and impressive manner for several years.

But this venerable man is not the only veteran Mason in our midst. John W. Woodward, who joined Jan. 6, 1852, is now nearly eighty-five years old and still a happy and contented Mason; David W. Crafts, seventy-seven years of age, who joined June 1, 1852, is yet among the young boys with us and never fails to do his full Masonic duty at all times. These two "boys " attend meetings very regularly and the enjoyment between young and old is mutual. John "Rus" Hillman, faithful Tyler for twenty-five years, joined in 1854 and is as prompt and efficient as ever. Samuel W. Lee joined in 1857. His father was early made a Master Mason here and a Royal Arch Mason at Baltimore in 1829. His two sons, A. B. Lee and S. W. Lee, Jr., are active with us, and the latter is the third generation of Samuel W. Lees to join Jerusalem Lodge.

During this century of Masonic life how many men do you think have been raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason? According to the records there have been just one thousand. This is an average of ten each year. High-water mark was reached in 1860, when thirty-eight joined, and the low tide was met in 1881, when but three entered the ranks. Perhaps the best continuous record for five years was just after the Civil War, when one hundred and forty-five were registered from 1865 to 1869 inclusive, an average of twenty-nine each year. Last year twenty-two joined, which is the highest number for twenty-nine years. Of the one thousand men who have been united in the bonds of Masonic fraternity since Jerusalem Lodge first saw the light of day, just about half are now living and are faithfully observing their vows here or elsewhere.

Judging from the number who have already sent in their applications, the year 1898 is to be the jubilee year in membership as in everything else. When we recall the fact that there are more than one hundred social, literary, commercial, temperance and other organizations of kindred type in Northampton to-day, the Masonic Lodge is standing well the test of time.

In connection with this subject the fact that two fair daughters have gone out from the mother Lodge, Jerusalem, should be mentioned. On Aug. 23, 1867, sixteen members organized Ionic Lodge, of Easthampton, and on March 2, 1871, twenty-seven members started Hampshire Lodge, at Haydenville. Both these daughters are in healthy condition and doing well.

Then again, other Masonic branches have sprung up and are flourishing. A Royal Arch Chapter of Masons was organized June 23, 1825, with thirteen charter members. The Chapter now has a membership of two hundred and five, which is an average of three a year since-its organization-seventy-three years ago. Northampton Commandery of Knights Templars was instituted on Oct. 28, 1870, with a membership of thirty, and there are now one hundred and fifty-eight Knights in the Commandery. Then, at last, comes the William Parsons Council of Royal and Select Masters, which was formally organized on July 26, 1895, with sixty members, and since that time twenty more have been added, so that the average for the three years of its life has been twenty-six, which is the best showing of any of the branches of Masonry with us.

Your historian has no desire to go outside of the life and good works of Jerusalem Lodge, but it may not be out of place to speak of the beautiful and inspiring degrees which some of the Brethren have been permitted to attain through the sound and reliable foundation laid by the fraternal mother of us all — faithful and ever-ennobling Jerusalem.

Perhaps I can best convey to you ray thought by an illustration. Take the letter Y. Let the main stem of the letter represent the Blue Lodge, and upon this stem or foundation the branches forming the Y must rest. Now, the right-hand branch of this Y stands for the York Rite of Masonry, and the left for the Scottish Rite. Blue Lodge Masons are the only ones who can go up either branch. In other words, you must crawl up the trunk to get to either branch, or you can come down the one and go up the other, but no advancement whatever can be made except by way of the main Body, or the Blue Lodge. Here in Northampton we have the Chapter, Council and Commandery, which have been developed along the right branch, or the York Rite, but that is as high as the members can go along that line. If a member of the Blue Lodge wishes to go higher he must take the left-hand branch and go up the Scottish Rite line. Upon this branch are the. Lodges of Perfection, the Councils of Princes of Jerusalem and the Chapters of Rose Croix. This Scottish Rite branch has never been cultivated equally with the development of the Blue Lodge here, just why we do not know. About a dozen Brethren, however, have attained these degrees elsewhere. Going still higher, we reach the Consistory, or the thirty-second degree, and but five Brethren have reached this sublime height, including the veteran D. W. Crafts, L. L. Campbell, H. R. Chase, Frank E. Davis, and Prof. W. H. Daniel. How impressive the thought that the foundation for all that is Masonic in our lives has never failed, and that our Blue Lodge is as eternal as the Heavens!

Something should be said about the night of Masonry — that era when the enemies of the Order, under the guise of the Morgan excitement, were, in the ascendant, and contumely and insults were heaped upon our members. Incidentally let me say that the storm of the Morgan excitement centred right here in Hampshire County, and that some of the leading agitators resided at Belchertown. Two lawyers, Mark Doolittle and Myron Lawrence, who resided in that town, were especially severe and vindictive in their anti-Masonic crusade. They lectured against Masonry, and went so far as to appear in the courts and object to the allowing of Masons to act as jurors. It was no uncommon thing for these and others to picture a Mason as capable of committing any crime, even that of murder. As a result of all this our Brethren were especially selected for the hot shells of criticism and insult. This persecution has been fitly characterized by a well-known writer as the most unreasonable and malicious persecution that ever disgraced the annals of any nation." On account of this attack Jerusalem Lodge was practically closed from 1829 till 1845. But a goodly number clung tenaciously and unfalteringly to their charge, and while the light of Masonry was under cover temporarily it was not snuffed out. As far as can be learned, with one exception all who did so much to sustain life in the straggling Lodge in those days of adversity have passed "beneath that low green tent whose curtain never outward swings."

Had it not been for the courage and perseverance of our late Brother William Parsons our charter would long ago have gone the way of all the earth. When a demand was made for its surrender, with true Yankee grit he refused, and after packing it with the jewels, regalia and other property of the Lodge, he locked it in the old blue trunk and hid it in the garret of his house on South street; and there it remained safe and well preserved until the Lodge was revived, on July 22, 1845. Some of the Grand Officers came up from Boston to get possession of the charter, because it was feared that the anti-Masonic bigots would get hold of it and parade it as evidence in some of their savage attacks. But Parsons would not let either party have the treasures, and so we proudly point to them to-day as sacred emblems handed down to us to be religiously cared for and protected at all times.

There are a number of the older Brethren here now, who will recall with pleasure the conspicuous figure of good Brother Parsons, and how comforting it was to him in his old age that he was enabled to save the charter for his Lodge. Nor was this all that Brother Parsons did for the Lodge he loved so well. He had a cheery and charitable disposition, and wanted to see everything possible done for "the relief of poor and distressed Brethren, their widows and children." To his wisdom we are indebted for the establishment of the Parsons Charity Fund. During his life he gave a goodly sum as the nucleus of this Fund, and the good seed he thus sowed has yielded fruit a hundred-fold. D. W. Crafts has been the faithful treasurer of the Fund since 1878. Many indigent Masons, their widows and children, have been relieved of distress by this Fund, and the treasurer now has on hand over $2,000.

When the era of darkness had passed away, we find that several of the Brethren signed a document asking for the revival of Jerusalem Lodge and pledging themselves to pay its bills. There are two striking coincidences in this paper and the original' charter: each was signed by twelve men and each in the month of June. The first twelve should be known as the founders and the latter as the saviors of this Lodge. These were the founders: Samuel Alvord, Thomas White, Frederick Miller, Joseph White, Justin Alvord, Eleazer Goodman, Jr., Adonijah Nash, Joseph Kellogg, Jr., John Bennitt, Bezaliel Alvord, Elihu Dwight and Simeon Goodman. These were the saviors: W. W. Partridge, Michael Williams, William Parsons, William Weatherell, William Wilson, Amasa D. Wade, George Shepard, S. W. Lee, Erastus Slate, B. E. Cook, L. Kingsley and Eben Hancock. If it would not be out of place allow me to suggest that it would be a very fitting testimonial to their worth if we, their Masonic descendants, should have these twenty-four names, representing the founders and saviors of Jerusalem Lodge, inscribed on marble tablets and placed upon the walls of this beautiful Lodge-room. Such a happy outgrowth of this Centennial would be productive of much good.

It is the universal testimony of those who are conversant with the true record of Masonry that it stimulates its members to live a high-minded and unselfish life. This has been well exemplified in the history of our Lodge. Often it has been ahead of the church in prompting men to lead moral lives, while it has ever been hand in hand with that institution in every good work. There are members here to-night who can recall the time when the regular meetings were held on Friday nights, and when it was suggested at a Lodge meeting that church prayer meetings were held on that night the time was promptly changed to Tuesday nights.

Early in the present century it was no uncommon thing for the minister to take a social glass with the members of his flock, so it is not strange that the Lodge records show that money was frequently expended for liquor. Sometimes, when meetings were held at a tavern, it was voted that each member pay for his own drink at the bar. This un-Masonic conduct was not continued without a sharp reprimand, and be it said to the credit of the Lodge that at a meeting held in September, 1822, it was voted, "That the practice of using ardent spirits in the Lodge shall in future be abolished, it being highly derogatory to the truly Masonic character." Nor is it surprising that we find upon the early records a vote to the effect that a committee be appointed to buy lottery tickets with the Lodge funds, the proceeds, if any, going to charitable purposes. A considerable sum was invested in this way, which went to aid in building the canal at South Hadley.

And now, my Brethren, we must draw this imperfect history to a close. As I have been talking, our eyes have been turned to catch a passing picture of what has been wrought by our Masonic Brethren in the days gone by. While they are not with us in the body they are in the spirit, and their works surely have followed them. It is not in our power, should we so desire, to change, by the crossing of a T or the dotting of an I, what has been done by those who have passed on through the gates into the celestial Lodge above. Their work is done, and well done. Messages come from the past, personal messages perhaps, which should be beneficial to us. Some of these messages tell of the courage, perseverance, faith and stability of those who can no longer speak to us. 'We may not have the trials and temptations of our early Brethren. We have, however, greater opportunities for promulgating the tenets of Masonry, and with these enlarged opportunities come greater responsibilities. Let us not grasp the one without cheerfully assuming the other. What our eyes have seen and our hearts have felt this day is an evidence that our Masonic ancestors builded better than they knew. Cheerfully we turn from the setting to the rising sun. The present is here; the future, like an unopened book, is before us. Like our 'ancestors, we too are making history. It is for us to decide what that history shall be.

Let us always cherish the thought that this Lodge stands for liberty, fraternity, equality. While it is charitable in its work, ours is not primarily a charitable organization. The young man who is made a Mason to-day does not find himself with a golden spoon in his mouth. Masonry stands for the truth — that truth which makes all men free; for the highest freedom — liberty regulated by law.

125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1922

From Proceedings, Page 1922-138:

That the Fraternity has existed for centuries and grown stronger with the passing years is sufficient to enlist the admiration and. commendation of the unprejudiced public. Added to this it is doubtful if any organization outside the Christian Church has exerted a greater moral or humanitarian influence upon its members than has the order of Masons.

We are met tonight to celebrate the passing of an important milestone in the existence of Jerusalem Lodge, the local branch of this great Fraternity. Many obstacles are met with when one attempts to write a history of an organization that has been in existence one hundred and twenty-five years.

A century or two ago the matter of making records even of important events was apparently considered of little importance. In many of our towns it is found that the records of vital statistics for the past century are incomplete, and other records of important affairs very brief and meager. It is not surprising, therefore, to find. that the records of what occurred in Masonic circles one hundred and twentyfive years ago are insufficient to enable one to eompile a complete history of those events. It is known, however, that 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 Elijah 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.

Jerusalem Lodge was chartered June 13, 1797. AII the petitioners for the Charter resided in South Hadley and there its sessions were held for several years. The jurisdiction of the Lodge evidently covered a considerable number of towns, Northampton being one, and it is assumed that in those days there was not as much difference in the size of the places as later. The members of Jerusalem Lodge are justly proud of the fact that their Charter was signed by Paul Revere of Revolutionary fame, he being Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts at that time. The first meeting of the Lodge of which there is any record was held at the house of Simeon Goodman on the third Wednesday of July (July 19), 1797. At that meeting the following officers were elected:

• Simeon Goodman, Worshipful Master
• Frederick Miller, Senior Warden
• Bezalial Alvord, Junior Warden
• Elihu Dwight, Seeretary
• Samuel Alvord, Treasurer
• Adonijah Nash, Senior Deacon
• Eleazer Goodman, Junior Deacon
• Joseph White Senior Steward

At this first meeting it was also voted that "AII members present pay to the treasurer the sum of one dollar, to procure the necessaries for the Lodge." The records state that with one exception this was promptly done. One Brother was under the apparent necessity of deferring his payment. Thus the first treasurer of Jerusalem Lodge became the custodian of the Lodge funds which amounted to nine dollars. Little did Treasurer Alvord dream that when one hundred and twenty-five years should have elapsed his suceessors in office would have disbursed thousands of dollars to distressed worthy Brothers, their widows and orphans, and that the nine dollars in his possession was the nucleus of the large sums which the succeeding treasurers of Jerusalem Lodge should handle.

Though Hampshire Lodge was established in Northampton prior to the institution of Jerusalem Lodge in South Hadley it evidently passed out of existence before the latter had been long at work, for at the regular meeting of Jerusalem Lodge in February, 1798, a proposition was received from some of the Masons of Northampton to ascertain if they were willing to have their Charter annulled and unite with them at Northampton and take out a new Charter. The Lodge appointed a committee to confer with the Brethren at Northampton. Among the conferees was the late venerable Dr. Daniel Stebbins, whose portrait now hangs in the Tyler's room. Little was accomplished at the conference, however, although many plans and suggestions were offered. The sessions of Jerusalem Lodge continued to be held at South Hadley and many additions were made to its membership from Northampton and other towns. In February, 1802, however, it was voted, "for the good of Masonry," to remove the Lodge from South Hadley. A committee was chosen and it was finally decided upon authority of the Grand Lodge to locate Jerusalem Lodge in Northampton. Consequently, the Lodge voted to meet on the first Monday of June (June 7), 1802, at the home of "Brother Asahel Pomeroy in Northampton at two o'clock p.m."

Thus Jerusalem Lodge rvas established in Northampton. But, alas, not permanently, for about five years later, in March, 1807, for some unknown reason it was voted "That this Lodge be moved from Northampton. " In October of the same year it was "Voted to hoid the next meeting at Brother Hubbard's in Williamsburg." The records give no reason for this action of the Lodge. However, Williamsburg continued to be the home of Jerusalem Lodge for about ten years, rvhen we find in the records under date of September, 1817, this entry: "Voted, that a petition be forwarded to the Grand Lodge, praying that this Lodge be removed to Northampton. " Accordingty, the meeting of November 18, 1817, was held at the house of Levi Lyman in Northampton. In reference to the last removal the records leave us as much in the dark as in the previous instances. We only know that "for the good of Masonry" Jerusalem Lodge has been thrice removed.

To recapitulate; Jerusalem Lodge has held its meetings for the one hundred and twenty-five years of its existence as follows: five years at South Hadley, the next five at Northampton, the following ten at Wiliiamsburg, and. the last one hundred and five at Northampton. As has been stated, the real reasons for these several migrations are unknown at the present day and are largely a matter of conjecture. Of course, in those early days there were few, if any, regular Lodge-rooms and no public halls. The dining rooms of the taverns were about the only places sufficiently large for Lodge purposes and it is understood that most meetirrgs lvere held in such rooms: At that period there was more or less hostility to Masonry and it is quite possible that a change of tavern proprietors, from one who was a Mason to one who was unfriendly, may have made it almost necessary to find a more congenial location. Again, it may have been that the increased number of members from some town or towns rvithin the jurisdiction of the Lodge made it possible for that section to outvote other factions of the Lodge, and so the location may have been changed to meet the desires of the more influential or larger group. But the more probable reason would seem to have been for the better aceommodation of the Brethren for at least a term of years. As the jurisdiction was large and travel difficult, distance meant more to the members than in these days of automobiles and paved roads. Horseback or the "one hoss shay,' was the conventional method of travel in the year 1800.

When Jerusalem Lodge was located for the second time in Northampton, in the year 1817, we find the following persons acting as officers:

• Joseph Flint, Worshipful Master
• Isaac O. Bates, Senior Warden
• Abner Bryant, Junior Warden
• Marshall Flagg, Senior Deacon
• Nahum Flagg, Junior Deacon
• Levi Lyman, Treasurer
• Christopher Clarke, Secretary
• Sidney P. Brewster, Steward
• Noadiah Pease, Tyler

Unlike most of the older Lodges, the continuity of Jerusalem Lodge was not broken during the so-called Morgan excitement. It did not surrender its charter as most Lodges did. The Grand Lodge, because of the anti-Masonic wave passing over the country, deeming it wise to suspend work for a time, requested Lodges within its jurisdiction to surrender their Charters. Evidently the relationship between the Grand Lodge and the subordinate Lodges was not so close in those days as at present for Jerusalem Lodge did not.comply. It did, however, discontinue its meetings, but the Charter was secreted by Major Wm. Parsons and but few members of the Lodge even knew where. (It is said, upon apparently good authority, that Major Parsons bricked up the Charter in a hole made for that purpose in the great chimney of his house. When the messenger of the Grand Lodge demanded it he said that he remembered having seen such a docummt, but he had not seen it for a long time. Important busines elsewhere prevented his making search at that time, but if the messenger would go to the house, perhaps the women-folks could find it. He himself had not seen it recently. Needless to say "the women-folks" could not find it.) From about 1829 to 1845 no regular meetings of Jerusalem Lodge were held. After that date meetings were resumed under the original Charter.

The members of Jerusalem Lodge may well be proud of the honorable and distinguished names to be found among those who have signed its by-laws. The list of Past Masters of the Lodge embrace United States. Senators, army generals, judges, professional men, and many others who have honorably served the state and nation in military and civil life. There are sixteen Past Masters living, three of whom have served as District Deputy Grand Master. We are proud of the fact that our two oldest Past Masters wear the Henry Price Medal.

It is, of course, gratifying to members of the Masonic Fraternity to realize the change in public sentiment concerning the Order during the past century.

In the early years of Jerusalem Lodge, the uninitiated not only looked askance at a man said to be or known to be a Mason, but much reproach was heaped upon the Order. Particularly among the clergy did this anti-Masonic prejudice exist, and from many a pulpit have tirades against Freemasonry been launched. How changed the public attitude toward Masonry today! At the present time, to say of a man "he is a Mason " is equivalent to have given him a credential which entitles him to the full confidence and respect of his fellow men; and as for the clergy, a large percent of Protestant ministers are at present active members of our Order, and Masonry is held in high esteem by most of those who have not yet applied for admission. To those of us to whom the tenets of Masonry are so familiar, this change of public sentiment is not surprising. Masonry teaches the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. It requires of its members loyalty to state and nation. It pledges itseif to eare for the aged, the widow, and the fatherIess. Its principles demand honesty, integrity, and uprightness of its members. As these facts have become better known by the people, the changed sentiment is but a natural result.

Jerusalem Lodge has today a membership of over five hundred. A large number of its members have advanced through the York Rite degrees of the Royal Arch Chapter, the Council of Royal and Select Masters, and the Commandery of Knights Templars. Until recently only a few members have taken the Scottish Rite degrees, but within the past year, over one hundred have advanced through some of the Ancient and Aceepted bodies of this Rite, and quite a number have attained the 32d degree. The membership of Jerusalem Lodge is growing rapidly in common with other Masonic Lodges at the present time. An idea of how fast the number of Masons in Massachusetts is increasing can be gained from the following figures: Ten years ago there were about sixty thousand Masons in this Commonwealth, today there are about one hundred and ten thousand. Two-fifths of our entire membership has been added during the last decade.

Since Jerusalem Lodge was finally established in Northampton, its meetings have been held in a number of different locations. Sessions were held for a time in the so-called "Red Tavern" which stood about on the site of St. Mary's Church. The Lodge also occupied for a time rooms in what was known as the Colonnade Building, located. on the site of Edwards Church. About 1822 Captain Isaac Damon erected the brick building at the corner of Main and Masonic Streets, in which Beckmann's store is located, and expected that ultimately the Lodge would take over the building, and for a time it was called "Masonic Building."

About that time Masonic Street was formally laid out and the name adopted because of the building on the corner. In this building Jerusalem Lodge occupied the first rooms especially fitted up for Lodge purposes. It is understood that the Lodge was located in these rooms until its meetings were suspended in 1829. When its sessions were resumed in 1845 for some reason it occupied rooms in the building in which Ruder's store is norv located. Later, they returned to the so-called Masonic Buitding at the corner of Main and Masonic Streets and that building was the home of the Lodge until 1885, when it moved to Dickinson Block on lower Main Street. For about thirteen years Jerusalem Lodge occupied the latter rooms when it moved into its present apartments.

In 1897 the Masonic Temple was erected with apartments of course especially designed and equipped for Lodge purposes, together with club rooms, a dining hall, and an armory for the use of the Commandery of Knights Templars. The Temple was dedieated on June 13, 1898, which was the one hundred and first anniversary of Jerusalem Lodge. That was a gala day for Masonry in Northampton. The dedication ceremony by the Grand Lodge, the monster parade of many western Massachusetts Lodges with the Commandery acting as escort, the grand. banquet with speeches and a historical address in the evening, made it a day that will long be remembered by the Masons who were present.

And so we find Jerusalem Lodge today occupying its commodious suite of ten. rooms in the Masonic Temple, strong numerically, strong financially, and strong fraternally; its full membership, we believe, striving in their daily lives to exemplify the tenets of their profession.

---

OTHER

• 1807 (Petition granted to move to Williamsburg, II-366)
• 1817 (Petition granted to move to Northampton, III-109)

---

EVENTS

ELECTION OF OFFICERS, NOVEMBER 1830

From Boston Masonic Mirror, New Series, Vol. 2, No. 27, January 1, 1831, Page 210:

Officers of Jerusalem Lodge, holden at Northampton, Elected November, 1830:

• Christopher Clarke, Master
• Charles P. Huntington, Senior Warden
• Charles Walker, Junior Warden
• Joseph Muencher, Chaplain
• Charles C. Nichols, Proxy in the G. Lodge
• Edward Dickinson, Secretary
• William Parsons, Treasurer
• George Plumb, Senior Deacon.
• George Shepard, Junior Deacon
• Alfred Robinson, Senior Steward
• Stephen F. Knight, Junior Steward
• Michael Williams, Tyler

---

MEMORIALS

ELIHU DWIGHT 1763-1854

• MM 1797, Jerusalem
• Charter Member

From Elihu Dwight Papers at Mount Holyoke College:

Elihu Dwight was born on October 22, 1763 in Belchertown, Massachusetts to Justus Dwight and Sarah Lamb Dwight. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1790, he studied medicine with Dr. Ebenezer Hunt in Northampton, Massachusetts. Dwight became one of the first physicians to establish a medical practice in South Hadley, Massachusetts. On October 7, 1801, he married Lydia White of Springfield, Massachusetts. They had four daughters and four sons together. He became a successful businessperson and acquired a good deal of property in the local area. He also made a substantial donation towards the establishment of the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. At ninety, he died in his South Hadley home on June 1, 1854.

Dwight is listed as a charter member of Jerusalem Lodge, and was raised there U.D. 07/24/1797. He is a P.M. in the Register.

JAMES H. WETHERILL d. 1864

• MM 1854, Jerusalem

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIII, No. 10, August 1864, Page 318:

Northampton, Mass., June 26, 1864.

At a meeting of Jerusalem Lodge, F. and A. M., held at Northampton, on Sunday afternoon, June 26, after the funeral of Capt. Wetherill, the following resolutions were adopted ;—

• Whereas, by the death of our late Brother, Capt James H. Weatherill, (whose remains we have just consigned to their final rest, this Lodge has lost one of its living jewels; our country a faithful soldier and brave officer; our aged Brother his only son—his prop and stay : a fond wife the husband of her youth and the father of her children.
• Resolved, That we tender to his family our deepest sympathy for their loss; and while we make our record bear testimony to our regard for him as a Brother, and our reverence for his memory as another of the " martyred dead " taken from this Lodge, we renew to each other the vow that binds us together by the "mystic tie," and by that "tie" ever bear in mind that his widow is a Mason's widow, and his orphans are a Mason's orphans, to be cherished and succored (if need be) by each and every member of our hallowed Institution.
• Voted, That the foregoing Resolutions be entered upon the record of this Lodge, and that the Secretary be instructed to send a copy thereof to the family of our deceased Brother, and offer a copy for publication to each of the local papers, and to the Freemasons' Magazine, Boston.

Attest, Ira H. Stevens, Sec. pro tem.

FREDERICK C. WRIGHT 1839-1864

• MM 1860, Jerusalem

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIII, No. 10, August 1864, Page 319:


Northampton, July 12, 1864.

This Bro., a member of Jerusalem Lodge, Northampton, died at Washington in June, of a wound received on the 5th of that month, while on duty in front of the enemy. He was attached to Company C. of the 10th Massachusetts Regiment.— His body was brought home and buried with Masonic honors. The Northampton Courier, in speaking of him, says :—

"He had shared the fortunes of the regiment through all its eventful experience, and when wounded was on duty in the very face of the enemy, with the little handful of his comrades still remaining. He was a noble type of the citizen soldier, never evading duty or shirking responsibility, always prompt, faithful and true. The surgeon of the regiment, writing soon after he was shot, expressed the opinion that the wound would prove fatal, and spoke of him in terms of the highest praise.

At a meeting of Jerusalem Lodge, Northampton, Mass., held Tuesday evening, July 12, the following Preamble and Resolutions on the death of Lt. Frederick C. Wright, were passed :—

• Whereas, it has pleased God in His infinite wisdom to again afflict our already sorrowing Lodge, in removing by death our Brother beloved, Lieut. Frederick C. Wright —
• Resolved, That we extend to his bereaved family our heartfelt sympathies, and commend them most tenderly to Him who never errs; who does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. Resolved, That while we sincerely deplore the death of our Brother, we rejoice in the record which he leaves behind; in heroic acts, in noble deeds, in courage, in constancy, in devotion to his country.
• Resolved, That we cherish his memory and emulate the loyalty and patriotism of one who has placed before us the example of a noble life, and a heroic death.
• Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be placed on the Records of the Lodge, and a copy sent to the family of the deceased, and that the Secretary be instructed to forward a copy of the same to each of our local papers, and the Freemasons' Magazine, for publication.

Attest, Ira H. Stevens, Sec. pro tem.

---

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Robert R. Askew, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1957, 1958; N
• J(oseph). George August, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1951, 1952; SN
• Louis L. Campbell, DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1911, 1912; SN
• Hubert M. Canning, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1931, 1932; SN
• David W. Crafts, DDGM, District 10, 1865-1866; District 10 (Springfield), 1867-1869; Senior Grand Warden 1871
• Wendell T. Davis, Senior Grand Warden 1865
• George R. Dion, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1989, 1990
• Charles E. Forbes, DDGM, District 10, 1827; SN
• Noah H. Lee, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1919, 1920; SN
• John A. Lee, DDGM, District 10 (Springfield), 1869, 1870, 1871; SN
• Levi Lyman, DDGM, District 10, 1830, 1831; SN
• Ernest T. Otto, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1973, 1974; N
• William W. Partridge, DDGM, District 10, 1828, 1829; SN
• Leo A. Provost, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1999, 2000
• David T. Remington, DDGM, District 13 (Greenfield), 1893, 1894; Junior Grand Warden 1901
• William C. Robinson, DDGM, District 10 (Springfield), 1879, 1880; Memorial
• Daniel Stebbins, DDGM, District 7 (North Central Massachusetts), 1806, 1807; SN
• John A. Sullivan, DDGM, District 13 (Greenfield), 1889, 1890; Junior Grand Warden 1928

---

DISTRICTS

1803: District 7 (North Central Massachusetts)

1821: District 10

1835: District 9

1849: District 9

1854: District 10

1867: District 10 (Springfield)

1883: District 13 (Greenfield)

1911: District 14 (Greenfield)

1914: District 17 (Holyoke)

1927: District 17 (Holyoke)

2003: District 27

---

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges