KingPhilip

KING PHILIP LODGE

Location: Fall River

Chartered By: Charles C. Dame

Charter Date: 12/12/1866 VII-110

Precedence Date: 01/16/1866

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

James F. Davenport, 1866, 1867
George A. Ballard, 1868; SN
Charles E. Gifford, 1869; SN
Daniel Stillwell, 1870
William Devenport, 1871
Thomas G. Estes, 1872
John P. Henry, 1873, 1874
Horatio N. Durfee, 1875
Charles F. Vickery, 1876
Edward T. Marvell, 1877
Joseph L. Buffington, 1878
Charles E. Bennett, 1879
Enoch J. French, 1880
Judson C. MacKenzie, 1881, 1882; Mem
Edward S. Raymond, 1883, 1884
Alfred N. Hartley, 1885, 1886
Robert N. Hathaway, 1887, 1888; Mem
Charles A. Leach, 1889
William T. Learned, 1890, 1891
John T. Burrell, 1892, 1893
George T. Wilcox, 1894
Albert F. Dow, 1895
Elmer B. Young, 1896, 1897
John D. Monroe, 1898
Jesse Blaisdell, 1899; SN
Herbert S. Weeden, 1900
Frederick W. Lawson, 1901
Samuel E. Hathaway, 1902
William N. McLane, 1903; SN
James W. Anthony, 1904
Frank L. Carpenter, 1905
Robert D. Blake, 1906
P. Coleman Downey, 1907
Edwin S. Belcher, 1908
William H. Beattie, 1909
Joseph W. MacKenzie, 1910
William H. B. Kendall, 1911
Joseph S. Burley, 1912
Guilford C. Hathaway, 1913
J. Arthur Childs, 1914
William B. Howard, 1915
James H. Wood, 1916
John V. Thorpe, 1917; Mem
George M. Hatch, 1918
Charles M. Hadley, 1919; N
William B. Robinson, 1920
George B. Lovell, 1921
Carlton W. Burrell, 1922
William W. Darling, 1923
Charles W. Francis, 1924
Samuel Wood, 1925
Chester D. Borden, 1926
Edwin J. Jones, Jr., 1927
Thomas R. Burrell, Jr., 1928
Malcolm McFarland, 1929
Charles B. Wry, 1930
George M. Teasdale, 1931
G. Foxhall Lake, 1932
Oscar L. Spencer, 1933
J. Robert Bonner, 1934
John W. Davis, 1935
Louis E. Dafgard, 1936
Frank D. Lane, 1937
John Wright, 1938; N
Albert G. Pierce, 1939
Raymond F. Morton, 1940
Alfred D. Pearson, 1941
Joseph Atkinson, 1942
Hubert W. Burdett, 1943; N
Thomas H. Boyes, 1944
Harry W. Barnett, 1945
James F. McCauley, 1946
Clifford N. Robinson, 1947
Charles L. Braley, 1948
Bradford W. Petty, Jr., 1949
William Goddard, 1950
George A. Lonsdale, 1951
George N. Morris, 1952, 1979, 1981, 1987; N
Herbert Ashworth, 1953
Robert M. Wood, 1954
Elwin Mortimer, 1955
Frank Taggart, 1956
Elliot H. Riley, 1957
Russell R. Harmon, 1958
John E. Sweeney, 1959, 1978
George A. Fidler, 1960
William H. Keetley, 1961
John D. Kypriotis, 1962
Edmund Kolakowski, 1963
Charles Duncan, 1964
Chris F. Steger, Jr., 1965
Joseph Shirley, 1966
Clinton Stanley, 1967
George Hill, 1968
Paul C. Heaberlin, 1969
James W. Welsh, 1970
William H. Dormer, Jr., 1971, 1972; SN
Leon H. Cudworth, Sr., 1973
Raymond M. Lord, 1974
John J. Silvia, 1975
Roland E. LeVasseur, 1976
Adrian J. Landry, 1977
Charles R. Simmons, 1980, 1982, 1989
Daryl Wood, 1983
George A. Desrosiers, 1984-1986
William P. Pacheco, 1988, 1991
Russell A. Noverca, 1990
Walter L. Craveiro, 1992-1994;N
James E. Sadeck, 1995
David T. Sarna, 1996, 1997
Leon H. Cudworth, Jr., 1998-2008
Christian W. Butler, 2009
Dennis E. Haworth, 2010
Anthony R. M. Caprio, 2011, 2012

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1866
Petition for Charter: 1866

ANNIVERSARIES

1916 (50th Anniversary)
1941 (75th Anniversary)
1966 (Centenary)
1991 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1866 (Dame; Constitution of Lodge and installation)
1881 (Lawrence)
1885 (Howland; 2 visits, including dedication of hall, Special Communication)
1899 (Hutchinson)
1902 (Gallagher)
1911 (Flanders)
1914 (M. Johnson)
1916 (M. Johnson; 50th Anniversary)
1919 (L. Abbott)
1920 (Prince)
1921 (Prince)
1922 (Prince)
1923 (Ferrell)
1924 (Ferrell; Members' Night)
1941 (Schaefer; 75th Anniversary; Special Communication)
1966 (Booth; Centenary; Special Communication)
1991 (Darling; 125th Anniversary)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1892 1904 1931 1932 1936 1945 1950 1954 1956 1959 1964 1965 1972 1985 2012

HISTORY

1966 (Centenary History, 1966-293, 1966-298)

CENTENARY HISTORY, DECEMBER 1966

From Proceedings, Page 1966-293:

By Brother Henry E. France.

On January 17, 1866 the Most Worshipful Charles C. Dame, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, granted a Dispensation to Bro. John F. Frothingham and thirty-four others to form a new Lodge at Fall River to be called King Philip Lodge.

Although only a dozen years had elapsed since the incorporation of Fall River as a city, the growth of Masonry had been consistent and steady, and it is was decided that the institution of another lodge would be most beneficial to the community.

On December 31, 1865, King Philip Lodge held its first meeting. During the year under Dispensation 23 candidates were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The Charter was presented to the Lodge on December 12, 1866 and by this time the Lodge was on a firm foundation and well on its way to success. The first returns to the Grand Lodge showed a membership of 75.

The Lodge had trouble at first in securing a suitable meeting place and for some time rented the I. O. O. F. Hall for $3.00 per night. At this time Mount Hope Lodge suggested that a joint committee be formed to procure more suitable quarters. This committee was the origin of the present Hall Committee and was made up of members from Mount Hope, King Philip and the Fall River Royal Arch Chapter. They secured the Bank Hall over the Fall River Savings Bank and with the help of the Godfrey de Bouillon Encampment the Hall was furnished on equal terms, share and share alike. From there the several bodies moved to the new Masonic Hall on Franklin Street, where on May 23, 1885, dedication ceremonies were held by Most Worshipful Abraham H. Howland, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

On June 3, 1885, the rough and perfect ashlars were presented to the Lodge by the firm of Kessel and Lawson. Mr. Lawson was the father of Worshipful Frederick W. Lawson, Past Master of King Philip Lodge, who also presented to the Fraternity a rough and perfect ashlar when the present Masonic Temple was completed in about 1922.

There is no record of a 25th anniversary, but on February 29, 1916, the 50th anniversary was held in the Music Hall, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Music was furnished by the American Orchestra under the direction of William Allinson. Such notable persons as Most Worshipful Melvin M. Johnson, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, Bro. William Howard Taft, Ex-President of the United States, Bro. R. L. Beeckman, Governor of Rhode Island, and R.W. Leon M. Abbott were present.

The corner-stone of the present Masonic Temple was laid May 6, 1922, in due and ancient form by Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts. On October 6, 1923, Most Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell dedicated the new Temple to Freemasonry.

In 1924 the membership had risen to 1,012. This mark was held rather steady until 1929 when through adverse business conditions, deaths and suspensions the membership had been reduced to 502 by 1940.

On April 22, 1941, the 75th Anniversary Celebration was held at the Masonic Temple Hall, where over 350 members of the Lodge were present. Many of the high ranking officials of Freemasonry in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who were in attendance were R.W. Robert C. Laing, Deputy Grand Master and Acting Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in New Hampshire, and Most Worshipful Albert A. Schaefer, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. Included among the guests seated at the head table were Mayor Murray of Fall River, State Representative Stephen L. French of Swansea, and the Hon. Bro. Christian A. Herter, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, who was the guest speaker. Bro. Herter declared that we must arm ourselves spiritually as well as otherwise. We must have unity of spirit. We must be strong if we are to maintain our democratic institutions for the present generation and the generations to follow.

In May of 1943 at the height of World War II, King Philip Lodge was honored to have Boyd Tollinton, British Consul, as speaker at the Annual Members' Night. Mr. Tollinton spoke of the Anglo-American cooperation and the outlook for a lasting peace at its conclusion with the United States and Great Britain playing leading roles in attaining that goal. We are now at the end of our first 100 years. We are proud of them and the honors that the Grand Lodge has bestowed upon us by having 12 of our Past Masters named to serve as District Deputy Grand Masters and one as Deputy Grand Master.

Let us all pray to the Supreme Architect above for the strengthening of our beliefs, for the unity of our spirits, and for a world with peace so that this institution of ours may live forever for the betterment of mankind.

SUPPLEMENT TO SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, 1941

From Proceedings, Page 1966-298:

By Worshipful Frank D. Lane

In writing a history of King Philip Lodge after seventy-five years of existence, it is very evident, as we look over the records, that the Secretaries never for a moment thought of those who were to carry on in the years to come; hence there are many items that were not complete and of which we can find no record elsewhere.

On December 8, 1865 a petition was presented Mt. Hope Lodge, A. F. & A. M., from Joshua Remington and 28 others asking the consent and recommendation of Mt. Hope Lodge in the formation of a new lodge in this city to be known as King Philip Lodge. It was voted by Mt. Hope Lodge "That this Lodge consent and recommend that the prayer of the petitioners be granted."

Evidently the petition was not in proper form for on January 5, 1866 a new petition was submitted to Mt. Hope Lodge with 36 names attached. Mt. Hope Lodge again voted their endorsement.

The first regular meeting of King Philip Lodge was held on December 31, 1865 in the Hall of Mt. Hope Lodge, A.F. & A.M., at which time the following officers were elected and appointed:

James F. Davenport, Worshipful Master
Daniel Stillwell, Senior Warden
George A. Ballard, Junior Warden
Percy Gifford, Treasurer
Thomas L. Brayton, Secretary
Silas Williams, Marshal
William Davenport, Senior Deacon
Arthur R. Borden, Junior Deacon
Leander F. Pease, Senior Steward
George A. Borden, Junior Steward
George E. Hoar, Organist
William Preston, Tyler

December 31, 1865

There was no Chaplain appointed at this meeting. Committees were appointed to "arrange a code of By-Laws" and to "purchase jewels". It was voted that the initiation fees would be as follows: $5.00 to accompany the application and $30.00 for the three degrees. Also that the regular meetings would be held the last Wednesday in each month. It was also voted that a committee be appointed to petition the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for a Dispensation to form a new Lodge at Fall River to be called King Philip Lodge.

January 16, 1866

M. W. Charles C. Dame granted a Dispensation to Bro. John F. Frothingham and 34 others to form a new Lodge at Fall River to be called King Philip Lodge.

March 7, 1866

At a Special Communication Orin B. Witherell was the first candidate to be initiated an Entered Apprentice and on May 15 was the first candidate to be raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in King Philip Lodge.

March 28, 1866

It was voted to change the meeting night to Tuesday at 8.00 p.m. and to meet in Odd Fellows Hall. It was also voted that each member be assessed $5.00 or $10.00 as a loan to the Lodge at their option. The rent was to be $3.50 a night, but on May 29 the I.O.O.F. agreed to reduce the rent of the hall to $3.00 a night. The hour of meeting was changed to 7.30 p.m. on September 4.

November 13, 1866

It was voted: "The first three officers of the Lodge be a committee to draw up a petition for a Charter."

November 20, 1866

The By-Laws were adopted, officers elected for the ensuing year, and the petition for a Charter signed.

November 27, 1866

Thirty-four candidates were raised from December 31, 186S to November 27, 1866. At this meeting it was voted: "The first three officers be a committee to report in regard to entertaining the Grand Lodge Officers when we shall receive a Charter and be constituted by them."

December 13, 1866

In the Grand Lodge records under this date we find the following:

"The committee to whom was referred the petition of certain brethren praying for a Charter empowering them to form and open a Lodge in Fall River, Mass., by the name of King Philip Lodge respectfully report that they have examined the proceedings of the brethren under Dispensation and the By-Laws presented for approval.

Your committee has amended the By-Laws presented where necessary. They therefore recommend that the Charter prayed for be granted."

Respectfully submitted,

Wm. S. Gardner

Winslow Lewis

Wm. D. Coolidge

December 18, 1866

The petitioners for a charter of King Philip Lodge met in the I.O.O.F. Hall with invited guests. Brothers Joshua Remington, James Henry, Thomas F. Holden, William W. Stewart and George W. Gibbs were appointed a committee to wait on the officers of the Grand Lodge. The officers of the Grand Lodge were introduced and proceeded with the ceremonies of constituting the Lodge and installing the officers. Following the ceremonies a collation was served in Niagara Hall.

December 25, 1866

"The secretary was installed by the Worshipful Master in accordance with instructions of the Grand Lodge." It was voted: "That the secretary procure a suitable book to receive the signatures of the candidates." The original book is used by the Lodge today. It was also voted: "The first three officers be a committee to design and procure a suitable seal for the Lodge."

January 29, 1867

The first Charity Committee was elected consisting of three members: Bros. P. Gifford, Bennett and S. Williams.

February 5, 1867

The Lodge voted "Thanks to Bros. Grew, Hoar and Ballard for the gift of a case for the Charter, painted and lettered."

March 19, 1867

The first candidate raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason after the Lodge received its Charter was Bro. Charles F. Whalon.

April 30, 1867

An invitation was received to attend the dedication of the Masonic Temple in Boston to be held on June 24. On May 28 it was voted: "Not to attend the dedication of the Masonic Temple in Boston on June 24 as a body."

July 16, 1867

A copy of the Holy Scriptures was presented to the Lodge by Bro. Thomas F. Holden in behalf of certain members who were raised in King Philip Lodge while under a dispensation.

October 29, 1867

The first official visit of the District Deputy Grand Master was made on this date.

November 26, 1867

The first annual meeting was held.

December 31, 1867

The Rev. D. W. Stevens presented a beautiful copy of the Holy Scriptures to the Lodge bearing the following inscription: "Presented to King Philip Lodge of F. and A. Masons by D. W. Stevens, Chaplain of the Lodge 1867 at the meeting December 31, 1867."

March 31, 1868

It was voted: "That the Hall Committee be and are hereby instructed to accept, in conjunction with the other Masonic bodies, the rooms offered by the Bank Corporation." It was voted: "To take Bank Hall in conjunction with F. R. R. A. Chapter" on May 26, 1868.

March 26, 1872

A communication from Doric Lodge, Hudson, was received in relation to petitioning the Grand Lodge that some system of charities might be arranged.

April, May, June and July 1876

Much discussion was held regarding new quarters in the Borden Block, but on August 8, 1876 the Lodge voted not to change its quarters.

November 10, 1881

The Most Worshipful Grand Master, Samuel Crocker Lawrence, made his very first visit to King Philip Lodge.

November 25, 1884

It was voted: "That the Wardens and Hall Committee sign the lease for the new quarters in the Masonic Building on Franklin Street." The last meeting held in the F. R. Savings Bank Building was February 24, 1885. On March 3, 1885 the first meeting was held in the new Masonic Hall on Franklin Street.

May 23, 1885

The new hall was dedicated by M. W. Abraham H. Howland, Jr., Grand Master, and his Suite.

December 21, 1886

Bro. Henry Diman presented to the Lodge a Gavel made from a timber of the wrecked British Man-of-War Somerset.

August 8, 1889

A Special Communication was called to assist in the exercises of laying the corner-stone of the New Bristol County Courthouse by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

June 30, 1892

A Special Communication was called for the purpose of assisting the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in laying the corner-stone of the new Bristol County Courthouse at Taunton. Most Worshipful Grand Master Samuel Wells was in charge of the exercises.

January 28, 1896

It was voted: "That King Philip Lodge shall present future Past Masters also present Past Masters not provided with same, a Past Master's jewel, the design of same to be selected by a committee appointed by the Worshipful Master."

January 25, 1898

The first Past Masters' Night was held. The first Ladies' Night was held on April 9, 1901.

June 27, 1905

It was voted: "To suspend the meetings in July and August."

March 16, 1915

The Lodge presented a gavel and gavel block in the form of a perfect ashlar to Star in the East Lodge.

April 27, 1915

"A very pleasant surprise was given the officers and members of King Philip Lodge when R. W. Henry W. Mason, accompanied by 83 members of Star in the East Lodge, appeared and on behalf of Star in the East Lodge presented to King Philip Lodge a very beautiful silk flag."

May 11, 1915

George H. Taber Lodge was presented a gavel and gavel block by King Philip Lodge.

December 28, 1915

Honorary Life Memberships were proposed for R. W. George T. Ballard, senior living Past Master, and Bro. Orin B. Witherell, first candidate raised in King Philip Lodge. At this meeting Bro. Albert E. Smith presented to the Lodge a beautiful box for the working tools.

February 29, 1916

The 50th Anniversary was held. The following account of the 50th anniversary is taken from local papers of March 1st, 1916 as no records were found in the Secretary's files.

"The 50th Anniversary of King Philip Lodge, A.F. & A.M. was held last night in Masonic Hall and was by far the largest affair held by a Masonic Lodge in this city in years. Over 450 members of the lodge were in attendance. The speakers included Hon. Bro. Wm. H. Taft, ex-president of the United States, His Excellency Bro. R. L. Buckman, Governor of Rhode Island, M. W. Melvin M. Johnson, G. M. of the M. W. G. L. of Mass. and R. W. Leon M. Abbott Past Senior G. Warden of the G. L. of Mass., and Lieut. Com. of the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction."

A feature of the anniversary was the presenting of a Henry Price Medal to Wor. George A. Ballard, Past Master and Charter Member of the Lodge, and to Bro. Orin B. Witherell, the first candidate taken into the Lodge in 1866. Each guest was presented a gold match case suitably inscribed.

January 29, 1918

The Lodge voted: "Life Membership to those in good standing 50 years and to all Past Masters."

During the years 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920 and 1921 the Lodge was very busy with routine work.

May 6, 1922

The corner-stone of the present Masonic Temple at the corner of North Main and Elm Streets was laid by M. W. Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master, and his Suite. They were assisted by Mount Hope, King Philip, Narragansett and Massasoit Lodges.

October 6, 1923

The completed Temple was dedicated by M.W. Dudley H. Ferrell, Grand Master, and his Suite.

December 28, 1926

Wor. Charles McL. Hadley presented the Lodge with a complete set of Masonic Trestle Boards. Bros. Frederick W. and Alonzo W. Lawson presented the Lodge with a rough and perfect ashlar.

The first Return to Grand Lodge showed a membership of 75. This increased steadily to the year 1924 when the Return showed a membership of 1012. This mark was held rather steady until 1929 when adverse business conditions through a number of years, together with deaths and suspensions, caused losses that reduced the membership to 502 when the Return for 1940 was made.

King Philip Lodge has been in three Masonic Districts: namely, the 14th, 26th and the 30th.

The following Brethren have served Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Masters: Right Worshipfuls George A. Ballard, Charles E. Gifford, Robert N. Hathaway, Albert F. Dow, who also served as Deputy Grand Master, and Jesse Blaisdell.

OTHER

1993 (Change of district, 1993-131)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, OCTOBER 1866

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVI, No. 3, January 1867, Page 88:

This new Lodge, located at Fall River, was duly constituted, and its Officers were installed by the M. W. Grand Master on Tuesday, the 18th October. It has been working the past year under Dispensation, and has done a large business. The brethren have a large and convenient hall, and the prospects of future success are encouraging. The Officers are as follows: