Meridian

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MERIDIAN LODGE

Location: Watertown; Needham (1811); Newton Lower Falls (1824); Watertown (1835?); Newton Lower Falls (1843); Natick (1852)

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 12/12/1797 II-112

Precedence Date: 12/12/1797

Current Status: Active

NOTES

Meridian Lodge was originally chartered in Watertown and removed several times before arriving at its present site in Natick.

Includes Maugus Hill Lodge, chartered 1957, merged 1999.

MEMBER LIST, 1802

From Vocal Companion and Masonic Register, Boston, 1802, Part II, Page 25:

  • R. W. Joseph Pierce, M.
  • W. William Bond, S. W.
  • W. Isaac Dana, J. W.
  • Walter Hunnewell, Sec.
  • Samuel Willington, Tr.
  • Jonathan Alden, S. D.
  • Daniel Coolidge, J. D.
  • Elijah Learned, Steward.
  • Daniel Sangar, Steward.
  • Samuel Payson, Steward.
  • Thaddeus Cole, Tiler.

No. of Members, 34.

  • Nathaniel Wells
  • Daniel Cornwell
  • Joseph Nixon
  • Eben. Steadman
  • Abram Scales
  • Elisha W. Dana
  • Luther Dana
  • John Meacham
  • Jonas Wood
  • Thomas Heard
  • Edward Lowell
  • Jonathan Bird
  • Henry Jones
  • Abner Wellington
  • Elias Bond
  • Asa Wood
  • Jacob Head
  • Lemuel Whitney
  • Nathan Dewing
  • Wm. Hoogs
  • Jonathan Stone
  • Richard Richardson
  • Joshua Coolidge
  • Isaac Patten
  • Benjamin Cook
  • David Smith
  • Asa Reed
  • William Hull
  • Nathan Fuller
  • Josiah Fuller
  • Moses Stone

PAST MASTERS

Underlined Entries are living PMs

At Watertown (1797-1811)

  • William Hull, 1797
  • Nathaniel Weld, 1798, 1799
  • Joseph Pierce, 1800
  • William Bond, 1801-1803
  • Peter Lynn, 1804-1810

At Wellesley Hills (1811-1851?)

  • William Starr, 1811
  • Issac Train, 1812
  • Seth Dewing, 1813-1819
  • Chester Adams, 1820
  • Charles Rice, 1821, 1822 Raised 1821?
  • Charles Rice, 1823-1845; Wikipedia
  • Records Lost, 1824-51

At Natick

  • Malachi Babecock, 1852, 1855-1857, 1862
  • John Wilson, 1853-1854
  • George L. Sleeper, 1858-1859
  • Ezekial B. Phillips, 1860
  • Alvin Fuller, 1861
  • James H. Parker, 1863-1868
  • Henry C. Burnham, 1869-1871
  • William H. Wright, 1872, 1873
  • Daniel Henry Lawrence Gleason, 1874
  • George J. Townsend, 1875, 1876; SN
  • Silas H. Bent, 1877, 1879
  • Edward H. Wilson, 1880, 1881
  • Henry Gage Wood, 1882-1883
  • Frederick Lewis, 1884, 1885
  • Charles C. Henry, 1886, 1887; Mem
  • James H. Gilligan, 1888, 1889
  • Chester F. Soule, 1890
  • Elwin C. Huntoon, 1891-1893
  • Wilmont W. Mitchell, 1894, 1895
  • Marshalim L. Perin, 1896, 1897
  • James Downs, 1898, 1899; Mem
  • Samual W. Simpson, 1900
  • Francis C. Perry, 1901-1902
  • Eward E. Henry, 1903-1904
  • Alfred B. Underwood, 1905, 1906; Mem
  • Winfield S. Daniels, 1907-1908
  • Robert J. Montgomery, 1909
  • William B. Pratt, 1910, 1911
  • George McKenny, 1912, 1913
  • William A. Laughton, 1914, 1915
  • Francis C. Cutting, 1916, 1917
  • Ernest C. Bragdon, 1918, 1919
  • William A. Atwood, 1920, 1921
  • Walter H. Wright, 1922
  • Williams S. McRobert, 1923, 1924; N
  • James E. White, 1925, 1926
  • Alexander J. Montgomery, 1927, 1928
  • Burns L. Fish, 1929; Mem
  • Frederick H. Buckley, 1930, 1931
  • John Keays, 1932, 1933
  • Frank C. Bennett, 1934, 1935
  • Harry S. Spinney, 1936
  • Alfred E. Edwards, 1937-1939
  • Whitman C. Densmore, 1940
  • Burton W. Wright, 1941
  • Walter C. Ward, 1942
  • George G. Shipp, 1943
  • Burnham G. Gage, 1944
  • William M. Stacy, 1945
  • Harry D. Baker, 1946
  • Reginald V. Yeomans, 1947
  • Clarence C. Eldrige, 1948
  • Arnold H. Baker, 1949; N
  • Ralph A. Hall, 1950
  • Chester E. Johnson, 1951
  • Edward A. Olson, 1952
  • E. Melville Westgate, 1953
  • Chester Mosman, 1954
  • R.A. Fairbrother, Sr., 1955
  • Stanley H. Deane, 1956
  • Walter DeMelle, 1957
  • Frank A. Crowe, 1958
  • James R. Wooley, 1959
  • Russell H. Hooker, 1960
  • John A. LaRhette, 1961
  • John E. King, 1962
  • Albert T. Ames, 1963, 2013
  • Harold H. Brandt, 1964
  • Richard B. Johnson, III, 1965
  • Bruce W. Miller, 1966
  • James R. Crowley, 1967
  • Clarence K. Brayton, 1968
  • Eugene H. Ames, Jr., 1969
  • Howard G. Hedderig, 1970
  • Arthur L. Lipman, 1971
  • Robert F. Faulkner, 1972
  • Charles J. Ames, 1973
  • David K. Allen, 1974
  • Norman V. Giffin, Sr., 1975
  • Hoken L. Enquist, 1976
  • Robert A. Howatt, 1977
  • Richard A. Brandt, 1978
  • George L. Baldwin, 1979
  • John R. Bruce, 1980
  • James W. Thrasher, 1981, 1982
  • Albert F. Smith, 1983
  • Norman L. Phillips, 1984
  • Raymond E. Higgins, 1985
  • Gerald R. Lever, 1986
  • Mark Kaprielian, 1987
  • J. Herbert Babst, 1988
  • Ronald F. Wood, 1989
  • Wayne T. Szretter, 1990
  • Courtney D. Williams, 1991
  • Charles F. Nassau, III, 1992
  • Henry J. Mimonski, 1993
  • Douglas H. Deane, 1994
  • Gregg D. Giffin, 1995
  • Reginald S. Leese, 1996
  • Edwin C. Sloper, 1997; PDDGM
  • Peter Pilla, 1998
  • James H. Campbell, 1999
  • Donald E. Glencross, 2000
  • Richard P. Brita, 2001
  • Steven A. Perkins, 2002
  • Charles D. Lloyd, 2003
  • Jeffrey H. Phillips, 2004
  • Richard D. Ames, 2005
  • John M. Vining, 2006, 2007
  • John G. Brainard, 2008, 2009
  • Ralph Nixon, 2010, 2011
  • Ted Colgate, 2012

See also the Past Masters of Maugus Hill Lodge, which merged into this Lodge in 1999.

According to the Wikipedia entry, General Charles Rice (1787-1863) was a selectman in Newton Lower Falls. He became a member of this Lodge in 1822 according to Grand Lodge records, and was Master during most of the period for which the Lodge has no records. He is buried at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Newton Lower Falls.

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1898 (Centenary)
  • 1922 (125th Anniversary)
  • 1947 (150th Anniversary)
  • 1973 (175th Anniversary)
  • 1998 (200th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1869 1870 1876 1884 1889 1890 1895 1904 1909 1920 1924 1927 1932 1937 1939 1940 1941 1949 1952 1964 1965 1976 1979 1991 1994 1997 2005 2011 2012

HISTORY

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MERIDIAN LODGE, DECEMBER 1922

From Proceedings, Page 1922-401:

By Bro. William S. McRobert.

Practically all the early records of Meridian Lodge were destroyed by fire and what few facts we have been able to obtain have come to us now and then as they are occasionally brought to light from old family and historical records.

Monday afternoon, December 11, 1797, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts at its Annual Communication held in Concert Hall, Boston, received a petition praying for a Charter to hold a Lodge of Masons in Watertown. The petition was granted and the Charter was signed by Paul Revere.

Wednesday, September 5, 1798, Meridian Lodge was Instituted at Watertown.

June 10, 1811, the Grand Lodge gave Meridian Lodge permission to change its location to Needham, now known as Wellesley Hills, Meridian Lodge having been located in Watertown less than thirteen years. The Lodge was located in Smith's Tavern, later known as Elm Park Hotel, which many of you will remember. It was demolished ten or twelve years ago.

September 13, 1843, Meridian Lodge was granted permission to move to Newton Lower Falls, and it was located in a building owned by Brother Charles Rice, about three hundred feet this side of the bridge.

In 1852, a band of Masons living in Natick and Sherborn petitioned Middlesex Lodge, of Framingham, for authority to apply to the Grand Lodge for permission to organize a Lodge at Natick. Middlesex Lodge, however, refused the request of these Brethren, but it so happened that during the nine years the Lodge was at Lower Falls there was much discord and differing factions nearly wrecked the Lodge. So at this time Brother Charles Rice, a member of Meridian Lodge, explained to the Natick and Sherborn Brethren that interest was lacking in the Lodge at Lower Falls and intimated that probably arrangements could be made to have Meridian Lodge transferred to Natick, where it was hoped to have a wider scope for its usefulness. The transfer was made and Malachi Babcock, Past Master of Middlesex, was first Master at Natick, and I. M. Fellows was the first candidate.

Meridian Lodge was first located in the Walter Morse Building on East Central Street, which building was destroyed by fire July 20, 1862. After rebuilding the apartments were again destroyed by, fire on January 13, 1874, as also was every public hall in town. The first meeting held in our present quarters was June 16, 1875.

In the latter part of the year 1826 an attack against Masonry Was made in the western part of New York State (shortly after the Morgan episode). It spread like an epidemic over the northern part of the country. In due time it reached Massachusetts and obtained many adherents. It caused a great deal of disturbance in all Masonic circles; it severed friendships and business and social relations; families were divided, fathers against sons, brothers against brothers. Children of Freemasons were excluded from the schools and finally the Legislature passed a law making it a criminal offence for any person to take an extra-judicial oath. This law remained on the statute book for many years during which no Mason could be made although Lodges met. On the thirty-first day of December, 1831, the celebrated memorial or paper entitled: "A Declaration of the Free Masons of Boston and Vicinity" was published. It contained six thousand names of Masons in Boston and vicinity. Its influence was widespread and the Institution was strengthened. The Brethren of Meridian Lodge who had the courage to sign this declaration were:

  • Malachi Babcock
  • William Shepard
  • Nathaniel Wales
  • 
Joshua Gardner
  • Jeremiah Butler
  • Moses Eames
  • Asa Kingsbury

Natick has many things to remind us of the Rev. John Eliot. This gentleman was a Mason. The records of Massachusetts Lodge show that on January 11, 1779, a special meeting was ordered, called on emergency, and the Masonic degrees were conferred quietly and gratuitously upon two celebrated ministers of the town, the Rev. John Eliot and Rev. John Prince.

Although Meridian Lodge was chartered on December 11, 1797, the Charter was not signed until December 13, 1797, as shown by the following record of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge under date of September 10, 1804:

"It was voted that justice and equity require that all Lodges take rank in the Grand Lodge agreeably to the seniority of their Charter in conformity to the following schedule." Then follows a list of all Lodges. Among them are:

  • Hiram Lodge, of Lexington, December 11, 1797.
  • Meridian Lodge, of Watertown, December 13, 1797.

It was in 1804 that numbers were abolished in Massachusetts Blue Lodge in accordance with the vote of the Grand Lodge in June which was as follows: "All numbers now existing in the designation of Lodges shall be abolished because of great inconvenience having arisen on account of the numerical arrangement of some Lodges."

The date of the first meeting of Meridian Lodge is not known but it was probably between March and June of 1798 as no mention was made of Meridian Lodge at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in March, 1798, but under date of June 11, 1798, there is a record of returns having been made from Meridian Lodge by Brother Weld and mention of Meridian Lodge has been made at practically all of the Quarterly Meetings from then on.

The first District Deputy Grand Master for Meridian Lodge was R. W. John Boyle, of Boston, who was appointed December 10, 1804, Deputy for the First District which included Watertown. At that time there were twelve Districts in the Jurisdiction. The first three Masters of Meridian Lodge that we have been able to locate are:

  • Gen. William Hull, 1798
  • Joseph Pierce, 1801
  • William Bond, 1803

Benjamin Gleason was the first Grand Lecturer and was appointed in 1805.

NOTES IN 50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF NORFOLK LODGE, MAY 1924

From Proceedings, Page 1924-76:

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts dates back to July 30, 1733, and from this organized body Freemasonry was introduced into the town of Needham on June 10, 1811, nearly one hundred and thirteen years ago, when Meridian]Lodge was granted permission to change its location, after fourteen years' sojourn in the town of Watertown, to the town of Needham, in that part of the town which is now the town of Wellesley. The Charter for this Lodge was issued December 11, 1797. It was signed by Paul Revere, Grand Master. Meridian Lodge unfortunately on July 20, 1862, lost this precious document by fire. The Lodge met in Needham until September 13, 1843, a period of thirty-two years, at Smith's Tavern on the Boston and Worcester turnpike road. The structure was later known as Elm Park Hotel, but a few years ago was removed, its grounds now being used for park purposes. Many residents of Needham became members of Meridian Lodge, among them being Rt. Wor. Peter Lyon, who was Master in 1817. His son Peter was selectman of Needham for many years, and no doubt "Lyon's Bridge" in Greendale was named in memory of this old family. Wor. Seth Dewing received his degrees in 1809 and served as Master seven years. He died January 10, 1883, nearly ninety-five years old, having been for several years the oldest Mason in Massachusetts, a total of seventy-four years. Andrew Dewing, one of his ancestors, purchased an estate and settled in Needham in 1644, twenty-four years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Other Needham men belonging to Meridian Lodge were Ebenezer Fuller, James Smith, Simeon Grover, who was Junior Deacon about 1841, John Tolman, Thomas P. Weston, Royal McIntosh, Leonard Kingsbury, Luther Smith, Alvin Fuller, and many others.

NOTES IN 50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF WELLESLEY LODGE, MAY 1962

From Proceedings, Page 1962-102:

Meridian Lodge, located in Natick since 1852, was chartered in Watertown in 1797. On June 10, 1811, this Lodge voted, with the approval of the Grand Lodge, to change its location to the section of Needham now known as Wellesley Hills, where meetings until 1843 were held in Smith's Tavern, a building on the Boston & Worcester Turnpike erected some years before. This building will be remembered by many of our older Brethren as it was operated later under the name of Elm Park Hotel, the location of which is now marked by a graceful clock tower.

Meridian Lodge was for many years the Masonic Home for Wellesley Masons, and properly it has a place in any history of Masonry in Wellesley.

. . . Meridian Lodge, although not jurisdictionally affected, passed the following resolution and sent it to the Grand Lodge:

That Meridian Lodge commend and encourage the Brethren at Wellesley in their efforts to organize and establish a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in that town and extend to them our hearty support and fraternal good wishes in their ultimate success.

OTHER

  • 1811 (Petition granted to remove to Needham, II-483)
  • 1820 (Petition refused to remove to Watertown, III-324)
  • 1824 (Petition granted to remove to Newton Lower Falls, III-498)
  • 1843 (Petition granted to remove to Newton Lower Falls, IV-601, IV-605)
  • 1862 (Petition granted for a replacement charter, VI-421)
  • 1912 (Jurisdictional dispute, 1912-2160
  • 1913 (Participation in cornerstone laying, 1913-175)
  • 1933 (Petition denied to reduce fees, 1933-515)
  • 1936 (Reduction of fees approved, 1936-130)

EVENTS

RETURN TO MEETING, MAY 1843

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. I, No. 9, July 1843:

Framingham, May 11, 1843.

Br. Moore :—Will you allow me room in your Magazine to say, that Meridian Lodge, at Newton Lower Falls, (formerly at Needham,) after a considerable period of inaction, has been recently put in working order, and the Brethren an again assembling around the sacred altar of Friendship, Unity and Brotherly Love. The Lodge held a regular meeting on Wednesday evening, the 10th instant, when the officers elect, for the ensuing year, were duly installed according to ancient usage, by R. W. Jona. Greenwood, D. D. G. M. for the 4th District. The Installation services being concluded, at 8 o'clock the doors were opened to the public, when an interesting and appropriate discourse was pronounced by Rev. Br. Wm. Barry, of Framingham. The services were enlivened by singing, in which many joined with voice and heart; and were concluded with Prayer by Br. J. O. Skinner, of Framingham, and a benediction by Rev. Br. Baury, of Newton. The Brethren of the Lodge, and visiting friends, afterwards partook of a collation, and separated with renewed attachment and zeal for Ancient Freemasonry. The Brethren at Newton have a good Hall, over the Hotel of Br. Nath'l Wales, and they seem to be turning their whole hearts towards the upbuilding and decorating of the desolated walls of their spiritual Jerusalem. May peace and prosperity ever be with them, and the wisdom of the Great Archi¬ tect, and his abounding goodness, guide them, in all their labors and crown them with abundant success!

Yours, Fraternally, J. O. S.

PRESENTATION, DECEMBER 1857

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVII, No. 3, January 1858:

Br. C. W. Moore, — In compliance with a vote of Meridian Lodge, I have enclosed to you the address of Br. B. F. Bowles and the Worshipful Master's reply (for the Freemasons' Magazine.) The address was suggested by the presentation of a beautiful silver Pitcher and Salver, purchased by members of the Lodge, at a cost of forty dollars.

The gift was well merited ami justly deserved. Br. Babcock has served as W. Master since the Lodge was established at Natick, except one year, and although living some distance from the place of meeting, he has seldom been absent.

Yours truly, J. B. Fairbanks, Sec'y. Meridian Lodge.
Natick, Dec. 9th, 1857.

Worshipful Master. — As the servant of members of Meridian Lodge, and with great pleasure to myself, permit me, so far as my imperfect words may enable me, to give utterance to the sentiments of respect and esteem we cherish for you.

For your many good qualities as a man and a citizen, — qualities, which, while they secure the faithful discharge of your duties as such, give the best and most beautiful expression to the principles of our beloved Order, and thus secure for it a just respect, — for these we honor you.

The untiring zeal with which you have so long labored to promote the interests of our Fraternity, and thus of the world ; your industry in acquiring the know ledge of our sacred mysteries requisite to success in this ; and especially to fit you to instruct and govern us as our Master, have elicited our highest admiration.

For the justice, fidelity to the laws of Masonry, and the urbanity with which you have discharged the varied functions of this office, we thank you.

Let the pleasure we all derive from this expression of our sentiments, be the ex cuse for this frankness, and for the wounds we thus inflict upon your proverbial modes ty So long careful for our happiness, we trust you would not deprive us of this.

And now, beloved Brother, as a more tangible and lasting expression of these sentiments, receive this plate.

When in your home it shall greet your eye, may it be suggestive of the greeting that shall ever wait in our hearts for you.

As from these articles you receive the blessings of life, permit us to hope that you will take therefrom the memory and assuranco of our love. And if they shall be so kept and honored as to descend to your children, or children's children, may they speak to them of the fraternal love and appreciation of virtue that should be ever found in the hearts of Masons. And may the Grand Master of us all, bless thee and thine forever.

Brethren of Meridian Lodge: — It is true that I have endeavored to manifest some interest in our Fraternity. When greater or more immediate interests would permit, I have attended our communications. So far as abte I have sought the preparation necessary to make myself of some use while here. If as you have so kindly intimated I have in any degree been succesful, the thought now gives me the greatest pleasure.

You know I am no speech-maker ; I cannot make one now ; but let me assure you that for this manifestation of your confidence, for these words of approval, and for this rich gift, I am grateful.

HALL DEDICATION, JULY 1875

From New England Freemason, Vol. II, No. 7, July 1875, Page 359:

Dedication of a new Masonic Hall at Natick, Mass. — R.W. Charles A. Welch, Deputy Grand Master, assisted by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, dedicated the new hall of Meridian Lodge to the purposes of Freemasonry, in due form, on Friday evening, July 16th. The ceremony was attentively observed by a numerous assembly of ladies and members of the Craft. A quartette of male and female voices rendered very beautifully the musical portion of the exercises. The Deputy Grand Master closed the services with an oppropriate address, commending the brethren for the zeal, good taste and liberality manifested in the preparation of the new apartments, so much superior to those which were destroyed by fire a few months ago. He urged upon them increased zeal in perfecting the inner life of Masonry, that it might correspond with the outward beauty and adornment they were now to enjoy in their new halls.

The ladies and Brethren, to the number of about two hundred, then repaired to the banquet-hall and enjoyed an elegant collation. After a humorous speech from the Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Officers hurried away to take the train, and arrived in Boston about 11 o'clock.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1803: District 1 (Boston)

1821: District 9

1834: District 1

1849: District 4

1867: District 4 (Cambridge)

1883: District 21 (Framingham)

1911: District 23 (Milford)

1927: District 23 (Natick)

2003: District 15

2009: District 15 (North)

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges

The curator for this page is Brother Geoff Turi. Please direct informational updates and questions to him.

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