JohnHancock

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JOHN HANCOCK LODGE

Location: Methuen

Chartered By: William T. Coolidge

Charter Date: 09/11/1861 VI-382

Precedence Date: 10/10/1860

Current Status: Active


PAST MASTERS

  • Stephen Huse, 1860, 1861
  • Ebenezer Sawyer, 1862, 1863
  • James O. Parker, 1864, 1865
  • Jacob Emerson, 1866, 1867
  • Granville E. Foss, 1868
  • Joseph S. Howe, 1869, 1870; SN
  • Darius S. Pierce, 1871, 1872
  • George W. Sawyer, 1873, 1874
  • Benjamin M. Hall, 1875, 1876
  • Robert H. Sheils, 1877, 1878
  • Henry N. Hall, 1879, 1880
  • Edward F. Johnson, 1881, 1882
  • Daniel H. Sawyer, 1883, 1884
  • George R. Merrill, 1885, 1886
  • Franklin Russell, 1887
  • J. Frank Emerson, 1888, 1889
  • Charles Easton, 1890, 1891
  • Tenney Morse, 1892, 1893
  • Eugene N. Hall, 1894, 1895
  • Everett L. Edmands, 1896, 1897
  • Arthur L. Russell, 1898, 1899
  • Millard F. Emerson, 1900, 1901
  • Clarence T. Adams, 1902, 1903
  • George P. Dunham, 1904, 1905
  • Edward A. Bower, 1906, 1907
  • Charles B. Marble, 1908; SN
  • William H. Buswell, 1909, 1910; SN
  • Frederic L. Barstow, 1911, 1912
  • Robert Stanley, 1913, 1914
  • John A. Ingraham, 1915, 1916
  • Joseph Sherlock, 1917, 1918; N
  • Silas Thomas, 1919, 1920
  • Charles H. Cooper, 1921, 1922
  • Herbert E. Gordon, 1923, 1924
  • Alfred Humphries, 1925
  • Edgar Wilson, 1926, 1927
  • Herbert Ellis, 1928, 1929
  • Ben Oldfield, 1930, 1931; N
  • Ralph W. Turner, 1932, 1933
  • Harry G. Irving, 1934, 1935
  • Edward V. Reed, 1936, 1937
  • J. Walter Ostler, 1938, 1939
  • Frank J. Kolb, 1940, 1941
  • Frederic L. Sjostrom, 1942
  • C. Roy Perry, 1943, 1944
  • George Frost, 1945, 1946
  • Clifton F. Swain, 1947, 1948; N
  • Norman Ashton, 1949, 1950
  • Henry R. Loeschner, 1951, 1952
  • William Taylor, 1953, 1954
  • Guy L. Beal, Jr., 1955, 1956
  • Eric Rothwell, 1957, 1958
  • Bernard B. Wallace, 1959, 1960
  • Harold C. Matthews, 1961, 1962
  • Manuel J. Enus, Jr., 1963, 1964
  • Raymond Dooley, 1965, 1966; SN
  • Charles F. Slack, 1967
  • J. Tyler Douglas, 1968
  • Fred A. Dobson, 1969; N
  • Ralph B. Duncan, 1970; N
  • Charles A. Shionis, 1971, 2002
  • John C. Kevgas, 1973
  • Thomas W. Cleary, 1974
  • Georfe F. Dyer, 1975
  • Richard F. Dooley, 1976, 1994
  • Walter H. Graichen, 1977
  • Wayne O. Newton, 1978
  • Peter W. Chapman, 1979
  • Arthur M. Dallon, 1980
  • William J. O'Donnell, 1981, 1982
  • Richard W. Ingalls, 1983, 1993
  • Alfred R. Nault, 1984, 2001
  • Thomas H. Hargreaves, 1985, 2005, 2006; PDDGM
  • Kenneth J. Wetmore, 1986
  • James H. Henderson, 1987
  • Paul A. Miller, 1988
  • Thomas W. Nesbitt, 1989
  • Paul M. Robito, 1990
  • Warren A. Archambault, 1991
  • Stephen E. Barbin, 1992, 1993
  • David L. Bowden, 1995
  • Richard C. Dewhirst, 1996
  • Scott C. Rosentrater, 1997
  • Cortland R. Posluszny, 1998
  • Richard D. Dooley, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2011
  • John I. Perkins, 2000
  • Michael T. Hargreaves, 2007, 2008
  • Geoffrey K. Hargreaves, 2009, 2010
  • Fred A. Dobson, Jr., 2012, 2013
  • Jeffrey H. Rousseau, 2014

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1860
  • Petition for Charter: 1861

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1910 (50th Anniversary)
  • 1935 (75th Anniversary)
  • 1960 (Centenary)
  • 1985 (125th Anniversary)
  • 2010 (150th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1871 1872 1883 1894 1896 1911 1913 1920 1922 1929 1944 1947 1951 1953 1957 1974 1978 1983 1986 1991 1992 1995 1996 1998 2000 2009 2012

HISTORY

  • 1935 (75th Anniversary History, 1935-161; see below)
  • 1960 (Centenary History, 1960-180)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1935

From Proceedings, Page 1935-161:

By Right Worshipful William H. Buswell.

An historical sketch of John Hancock Lodge was written by Wor. Bro. Joseph S. Howe for the Fiftieth Anniversary observance in 1910. It was given in full in the anniversary booklet printed ar rhar rime. While this history is familiar to the older members, yet 638 members have been admitted since 1910 and the present membership is more than double that of twenty-five years ago. Many present members know nothing of the early history of Masonry in Methuen and of John Hancock Lodge. Therefore the following brief synopsis of that history covering its salient parts will be instructive to the Brethren.

The first record of any action toward organizing a Lodge in Methuen is in 1825 when a number of Free and Accepted Masons being affiliated with Haverhill and Andover Lodges, met and appointed a committee to obtain a Charter. On December 14 of that year the Grand Lodge voted to grant a Charter to Grecian Lodge; there were 25 charter members including several of the most prominent citizens of the town, among them being the pastors of the Baptist and Congregational Churches. Rev. Bro. Charles O. Kimball of the Baptist Church was afterward Worshipful Master of Grecian Lodge for three years, and Rev. Bro. Jacob Eastman of the Congregational Church was Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge from 1830 to 1833. The place of meeting was in a building owned by the "Literary Society" situated on the east side of Broadway on the site of present residence of Doctor Ganley.

On May 10th the Lodge was constituted and its officers duly installed by R.W. Bro.John Bartlett assisted by other Grand Lodge officers, the ceremonies being held in the Baptist Church, after which a procession was formed and accompanied by a band proceeded to a commodious tent where a repast was served and carious toasts were drunk.

Before the Lodge had completed its first year there occurred the so-called Morgan disappearance causing controversy which raged with great violence. Masonry became a national political issue. An anti-masonic party was formed and in the national campaign of 1832 succeeded in carrying one state for its presidential electors. The excitement in Methuen was intense and feeling bitter. The work of the Lodge languished, applications ceased, and members withdrew. The Lodge ceased to hold regular meetings, but a few loyal members occasionally met and once a year until 1834 elected officers. In 1838 it was deemed best to surrender the Charter for a time.

The building of the new City of Lawrence in 1845 brought together many people and among them a number of Masons who felt the need of fraternal intercourse. Among them were eight who had been members of Grecian Lodge in Methuen and they petitioned the Grand Lodge for return of their Charter, which was voted December 27, 1847, the Lodge to be holden in Lawrence. The last regular meeting in Methuen was held January 30th, 1848, when Doctor Stephen Huse was elected Worshipful Master and it was voted to meet in future at Masonic Hall in Lawrence.

For the next twelve years the Masons of Methuen had their home in Lawrence. While the best of feeling prevailed there began to be a feeling that the best interests of Masonry required the formation of a Lodge in Methuen. On September 26th, 1860, a meeting of Master Masons was held in Sons of Temperance Hall for purpose of forming a new Lodge. Officers were balloted for and Stephen I [use was chosen Master. At the next meeting October 4th the name Mt. Horeb was chosen which was changed to John Hancock the following week. A committee appointed to confer with Grecian Lodge reported that an amicable adjustment bad been made and if a Dispensation is granted for the formation of a new Lodge, the Methuen members could withdraw and receive one hundred and seventy-five dollars.

On October 18, 1860, the Dispensation was granted by Grand Master Winslow Lewis, who appointed Stephen Huse to be the first Master. And on October 18th, 1860, John Hancock began iu work and received the first application for degrees from James O. Parker, who was the first Mason made in the new Lodge. Brother Parker advanced rapidly and became Master three years later. Within a year thirteen Masons had been made and fifty-four meetings had been held. Most of the new members were middle-aged men and prominent citizens of the Town. That the work was satisfactory to the Grand Lodge is shown by the fact that on September 11, 1861, a Charter was issued to rake precedence from October 10th, 1860, and on September 20th the Grand Lodge came to Methuen, dedicated the hall, and constituted the Lodge, and the Most Worshipful Grand Master installed the officers.

Dr. Stephen Huse, the first Master of John Hancock Lodge, was Master of Grecian Lodge in Methuen from 1831 to 1834, when the charter was surrendered, and in 1848 was first Master of Grecian Lodge in Lawrence, and also 1850, 1854, and 1855. He was born in Methuen and received the degrees in Merrimack Lodge, of Haverhill. He stood high in his profession and was a leading citizen in Methuen till his death.

The Lodge held its meetings in Sons of Temperance Hall on which the Lodge had expended a large part of its funds in making necessary changes and for new furniture, when misfortune came; the building caught fire, the hall was ruined and furniture spoiled, and as a result the finances of the Lodge were in a low condition. Hope Lodge of Odd Fellows in a most fraternal spirit offered use of their hall in Methuen bank building. In about two years the Lodge moved to Pythian Hall in the building opposite the bank building and later to the new Odd Fellows building.

To continue from Wor. Bro. Howe's history, in October of 1910 was celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Lodge, and Sunday, October 9th, the Lodge attended divine worship at St. George's Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Church and listened to an able sermon by the pastor Bro. Alfred Humphries, a member of the Lodge, the Orpheus Quartette assisting in the music. Friday, October 14th, the anniversary was celebrated, an event to be long remembered. In the afternoon Most Wor. Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master, and nine other Grand Lodge officers were met at Lawrence by the Master and Wardens and taken to Serin Organ Hall to see the "Great Organ" and then given an automobile ride through Mr. Searles' estate and around World's End Pond. 1 Lie the Master was nearly lost to the further celebration as the last car in which he was riding with Most Wor. John Albert Blake went off the road and narrowly missing several trees became mired in the swamp, the other -cars disappearing around a bend. Dusk was falling and the nearest house being half a mile away and the Lodge Hall two and a half miles, the Master had to do some strenuous leg work to get assistance for Bro. Blake and Colby and himself to the Lodge-room to open the Lodge. By commandeering a farmer with his horse and buggy it was accomplished. The Grand Lodge officers, invited guests and Brethren and their wives and ladies were escorted to the banquet hall where a fine banquet was served. Adjourning to the Lodge-room the Grand Master and his officers were waited upon by a committee of Past Masters and introduced to, received, and welcomed by the Master, Wor. Bro. William H. Buswell. The Grand Master responded congratulating the Lodge and remarked upon the youthful appearance of the ladies (the Master in his welcome had referred to the ladies being present at the dedication of the Lodge and the Grand Master facetiously assumed the Master to mean the same ladies now present). Remarks were also made by Rt. Wor. Rev. William H. Ryder, Deputy G.M., Rt. Wor. Rev. Edward A. Horton, Grand Chaplain, and D.D.G.M. Chas. B. Marble. There followed a fine entertainment by the Lotus Quartette, a soprano soloist, an entertainer, and music by an orchestra. The Master then declared the Lodge closed. The unanimous opinion was that the celebration was a great success. Two hundred fifty-three attended the banquet and more than 400 the following exercises. The net cost to the Lodge was $295, the members attending the banquet paying their own expense.

In 1911 a committee consisting of the Master, Secretary, and Senior Warden compiled new By-Laws, Grand Secretary Davis affording much valuable advice. On approval by Grand Lodge June 12, 1911, they were printed in a booklet which included also an abstract of Masonic Law, a list of membership August 31, 1911, and of all former members from time of organization in 1860 to August 31, 1911. Among other things they provided for a permanent fund and $2,000 from the accumulated general funds was set aside for this purpose.

At the regular communication March 26, 1915, there started one of the most important events for the Lodge. Bro. S. W. John M. Ingraham stated he had been authorized by Mr. Edward F. Searles to present to John Hancock Lodge the property and buildings known as the Young Men's Christian Association for Masonic purposes without any strings attached. A great surprise, the proposition was received with applause and several Brothers spoke in favor of accepting, including District Deputy Grand Master Dean K. Webster. After further discussion, the sentiment was that delay was inexpedient, and it was voted unanimously by the eighty-four members present, formally to accept the offer and a committee consisting of Wor. Bros. Foss, Buswell, and Marble was appointed to draw up resolutions thanking the donor.

It was voted that there be a committee consisting of the Master, Wor. Bro. Robert Stanley, and ten others appointed by him, which should consult with themselves, with such others as they saw fit, and estimate the probable annual expense, the initial expense of fittings, furnishings and methods of meeting the necessary expense of maintaining the buildings.

At the next regular communication, April 30, 1915, the deed from Mr. Searles was read, conveying the property to a Board of five Trustees appointed by the Master to hold the same for the Lodge, viz. Robert Stanley, John M. Ingraham, Wm. H. Buswell, Edwin J. Castle, and George William Kenison. The property to be considered as a memorial to Mr. Searles' father, Jesse Gould Searles.

The committee of 11 held several meetings and much argument ensued as to several suggested changes in annual dues and fees for degrees and possible effect of proposed increases. Their report was finally acted upon June 25. The annual dues being fixed at $7, an increase of 54, and fees for degrees $60, an increase of $15. A new By-Law provided the Trustees should hold the property in trust for the use and benefit of the Lodge, having full charge and care, but all expense should be borne by the Lodge.

On June 14th the Temple having been renovated and furnished, was opened for inspection by the Brethren. On October 3rd, 1916, at the one thousandth and first special communication called for that purpose, the Temple was dedicated to the purposes of Masonry in an impressive manner by M.W. Melvin Maynard Johnson and assisting Grand Officers. A procession was then formed and the members and visiting Brethren proceeded to Odd Fellows Hall where a banquet was served, followed by an address by M.W. Grand Master Johnson. A pleasing feature was the presentation by the Grand Master of a Fast Master's Jewel to Wor. Bro. Ingraham and a facsimile diploma of Jesse Gould Searles to his son Edward Francis Searles, the donor of the Temple, who was present at the guest of the evening. It can be stated here that at the regular communication December 30, 1932, this diploma was presented to the Lodge by Mrs. Byrnes.

John Hancock Lodge now had its own home. The cost of building changes and furnishings had been about $6,000 of which Mr. Searles assumed about $3,000. The Lodge funds were nearly exhausted and financially the Lodge was starting from scratch as it did after the fire in 1894. But the future was faced with faith, courage, and high hopes which the subsequent years have justified.

During the next several years applications were received in increasing numbers the climax being in 1920 when 79 members were admitted necessitating 52 communications. Doubtless some were influenced to petition for membership by the desire to obtain the club privileges and participate in the social activities which the facilities of the new Temple afforded. Yet throughout the State the rapid increase in members was general and it was easy to obtain applications from obliging members, since remedied through the present custom of most Lodges that those desirous of petitioning must first appear in person before the Master and Wardens for a pre-examination. Some applicants even thought membership meant a sort of insurance and in case of disaster to them, their families would be cared for by the Lodge. Some thinking Masons had a feeling this growth in numbers was of quantity rather than quality. The fact of the many rejections in John Hancock, 17 in 1923 alone, showed that investigating committees and the Lodge were on their guard against promiscuous admissions if some recommending members were not.

John Hancock has done its share in charitable works, carrying out the tenets of brotherly love and relief. It pledged some $2,000 to the war relief fund, contributed freely to the rainy day fund for the Masonic Home, exceeded its quota toward the building of the George Washington Memorial at Alexandria, and has attended to the needs of its own members in distress without calling on the Board of Masonic Relief for help. It has been rather fortunate in this respect in that demands have not been too great even through present depression.

In 1926 during the bi-centenary anniversary of the founding of Methuen it joined as an organization in the large procession which was one part of the celebration. It also attended in a body and marched in the large procession incident to the laying of the cornerstone of the Lawrence Masonic Temple in 1922.

As shown in our Roll of Honor, 21 of our members saw service in the World War. During the war several special communications were held to confer degrees on enlisted petitioners, dispensations sometimes being necessary as candidates could not wait the required time between degrees. After the war these Brethren were presented with gold watch fobs. In 1917 Bro. John A. Perkins presented the beautiful silk flag which now adorns the Lodge room. In 1925 it was voted to contribute $100 toward cost of the American Legion building. The Lodge has always been ready to join in aiding any appropriate civic under-taking as far as allowed by Grand, Lodge regulations.

For the second time in the history of the Lodge there was in 1923 a move on the part of some members to form a new Lodge. Though a committee was appointed to consider the matter nothing resulted, as in the previous case.

Two important outgrowths of the facilities afforded by the new Temple should not be overlooked. The organization of the Glee Club among the members and a house committee appointed by the Master. The Glee Club has attained a high degree of success by its constant rehearsals, has assisted in the degree work, sponsored minstrel and musical entertainments for the enjoyment of the public, has journeyed to the Masonic Home to entertain the Brethren and ladies there, and given concerts in the Nevins and Lawrence Homes for the Aged and at several churches and won prizes in singing contests by Glee Clubs.

The House Committee has arranged the many social activities, bowling and other tournaments, and various Ladies' Nights.

Both have been a real help in promoting that satisfaction and delight which disinterested friendship affords and spreading the cement of Brotherly Love and Affection. Their activities have been self-supporting, without financial expense to the Lodge.

On January 20, 1922, an event that seldom occurs in the history of a Lodge was the fraternal visit of Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master, who assumed the East and raised the candidate, a personal friend, being assisted by Past Masters of various Lodges.

A few statistics may be useful for future reference. The total membership from the beginning has been 1121, 483 in the first 50 years and o.iS in the last 25 years. The membership 50 years ago was 279, today, 591. The high point was 636 in 1931. The senior living Past Master is Worshipful Brother George R. Merrill, Master in 1885-86, 50 years ago. The permanent fund of the Lodge stands today at its highest point, and a sizeable amount, having shown a steady growth since 1919 when it made a new start after equipping the new Temple, and this notwithstanding it has been necessary to use $1400. during the past three years. The Lodge has felt the present depression and many Brothers have been unable to pay their dues. The Master and Wardens have been most generous in remitting dues when investigation showed the distress and necessity to be serious, thus exemplifying the tenets of our institution, and this with full sanction of the Lodge. Admissions have decreased there being only four in each of the last three years. Too, our loss by death last year was the largest in the history of the Lodge, seventeen. The high cost of government has also affected the Lodge in that the tax on our building has increased from $192.50 in L916 its first year to $503.88 for the present year or 160%.

There have been 554 regular and 1360 special communications to October 1, 1935.

Finally, Brethren, we can rejoice that the Lodge work and adherence to ritual correctness has been of a high standard. Worshipful Brother Howe states that during the first year of the Lodge the Grand Lecturer was employed three times to give instructions in Masonry and Worshipful Brother Huse and his Wardens were experienced and well informed Masons and anxious not only to do their work but to do it right. The early records show the Brethren met frequently, even on the Sabbath, lecturing and singing. The results of this spirit were lasting and remain to this day, for the officers of the past 25 years have well carried out the traditions of their predecessors. It may not be amiss to state that on one occasion the Master of another Lodge in the district dubbed John Hancock the banner Lodge of the district. To quote from Worshipful Brother Howe's words, "We are proud tonight to be numbered among the goodly company of men who have upheld our ancient institution in this town. They were a type of men with whom every good institution in our land would be safe. If they were here tonight, they would exhort us to continue with our good work, keep our Standard limn, and demonstrate to the world the worth of Masonry in our lives and strive to regulate our actions by the immortal principles of virtue and morality on which our ancient institution is founded."

OTHER

  • 1922 (Participation in cornerstone laying, 1922-105)
  • 1963 (Participation in cornerstone laying, 1963-227)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, JULY 1861

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 8, June 1861, Page 256:

We understand that the new Lodge which has been working under a Dispensation for the year past, will be constituted on the 17th instant, under the name of John Hancock Lodge, should a Charter be obtained of the Grand Lodge at its ensuing session, of which there is very little doubt.

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 10, August 1861, Page 384:

John Hancock Lodge is the name of a new Lodge, which, for the year past, has been working under Dispensation at the pleasant manufacturing town of Methuen, on the Merrimack River. Having met with the requisite encouragement and success, a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge in September last for its permanent organization; and on the 20th of that month it was constituted and its officers installed in due and ancient form. The ceremony was performed by the Grand Master, assisted by the Grand Officers. The installation service was public and took place in the evening in the presence of the lady-friends of the Brethren.

The Lodge the past year has been very successful, and has been enabled to fit up a very neat and convenient hall for its accommodation. Among ils members are several Brethren who were attached to Grecian Lodge in the antimasonic times, but since removed to the neighboring town of Lawrence. Among them are the present W. Master, Dr. Stephen Huse, and both Wardens. The Lodge starts under highly favorable auspices.


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1860: District 3

1867: District 6 (Newburyport)

1883: District 10 (Lawrence)

1911: District 11 (Lawrence)

1927: District 11 (Lawrence)

2003: District 11


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges