Montacute

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MONTACUTE LODGE

Location: Worcester

Chartered By: John T. Heard

Charter Date: 06/09/1859 VI-250

Precedence Date: 06/21/1858

Current Status: merged with Athelstan Lodge to form Guiding Lights Lodge, 08/23/2003.


PAST MASTERS

  • William A. Smith, 1858, 1859
  • George W. Bentley, 1860
  • James H. Osgood, 1861
  • J. D. Washburn, 1862
  • Benjamin Lewis, 1863
  • William S. Goodwin, 1864, 1865
  • Albert Walbridge, 1866
  • Emery Wilson, 1867
  • John W. Jordan, 1868
  • Henry C. Willson, 1869, 1870
  • Nelson R. Scott, 1871
  • Charles W. Moody, 1872
  • G. Edward Smith, 1873
  • George M. Taylor, 1874
  • Henry D. Barber, 1875, 1876
  • Reuben J. Tatman, 1877
  • George D. Boyden, 1878
  • Jeremiah Swasey, 1879
  • Thomas Talbot, 1880
  • S. Henry Shattuck, 1881, 1882
  • Quincy A Thomas, 1883
  • Henry C. Willson, 1884
  • George M Rice, II, 1885
  • Frederick W. Southwick, 1886, 1887; SN
  • Joseph H. Dunkerton, 1888, 1889
  • Oliver P. Shattuck, 1890
  • Alexander Foulds, 1891
  • Enoch Earle, 1892, 1893
  • Frank M. Heath, 1894
  • Robert W. Clifford, DDGM, 1895-1897; SN
  • Forrest E. Barker, 1898, 1899
  • Edward P. Taft, 1900, 1901
  • Parkman H. Stearns, 1902
  • Frank A. Clark, 1903
  • Fred M. Simpson, 1904
  • Charles M. Farnum, 1905
  • Harry A. Childs, 1906
  • Austin A. Heath, DDGM, 1907; Mem
  • William H. DeLong, 1908
  • Melville L. Heath, 1909
  • George H. Mullen, 1910
  • William H. DeLong, 1911
  • Oscar F. Burbank, 1912
  • George H. Jewett, 1913
  • Albert R. Webb, 1914
  • Arthur L. Stone, 1915
  • Frank W. Ward, 1916
  • Clarence R. Goddard, 1917
  • Burt W. Greenwood, 1918; N
  • Leonard W. Howell, 1919
  • Edward M. Woodward, Jr., 1920; N
  • Alfred E. Burbank, 1921
  • Byron A. Bishop, 1922
  • Harry G. Miller, 1923
  • William H. Tuttle, 1924
  • James T. Davidson, 1925
  • Edwin A. Hunt, 1926
  • Dexter C. May, 1927
  • Henry L. Rawson, 1928
  • Dale C. Crosby, 1929
  • G. Willard King, 1930; N
  • Francis D. Hart, 1931
  • Ronald R. Johnson, 1932
  • James W. Woodill, 1933
  • Cyril C. Walton, 1934
  • Allen W. Hixon, 1935
  • Thomas S. Roy, 1936; N
  • Frank Kenneth Sawyer, 1937
  • Victor H. Jennings, 1938
  • Earl E. Fipphen, 1939
  • Walter H. Shales, 1940
  • Averill E. Cook, 1941
  • Earl C. Richards, 1942
  • Averill E. Cook, 1943
  • Thomas Christensen, 1944
  • Baalis Sanford, 1945
  • Robert J. King, 1946
  • Howell G. MacDuff, 1947
  • William H. Nolet, 1948
  • Mark K. Forman, 1949
  • Robert B. Cameron, 1950
  • Frederick J. Shaw, Jr., 1951
  • Paul R. Nelson, 1952
  • Francis B. Page, 1953
  • Robert J. Sherwood, 1954
  • Hugh Miller, 1955, 1956
  • Elmer T. Scott, 1957
  • Wilfred W. Rawson, 1958
  • Guy W. Burr, Jr., 1959, 1960
  • Carl E. MacKay, 1961
  • Curtis Maitland, 1962
  • David Miller, 1963
  • Charles A. Cross, 1964; N
  • James A. Gates, Jr., 1965; N
  • Warren R. Richards, 1966
  • Smith G. Philips, 1967
  • Robert W. Eaton, 1968
  • Gordon V. Danielson, 1969
  • Ralph R. Belezerian, 1970, 1993
  • Leonard E. Anderson, 1971
  • Phillip T. Hall, 1972
  • David H. Moberg, 1973, 1974
  • Stanley G. Nelson, 1975
  • Bruce E. Wells, 1976
  • David T. Roy, 1977, 1986
  • Philip J. Mortimer, 1978, 1979
  • Robert E. McDuffie, 1980; PDDGM
  • Dukagjin Kershalli, 1981, 1982
  • Edward N. Haddad, Jr., 1983
  • Kenneth H. Hart, 1984, 1987
  • Robert A. Olson, Sr., 1985
  • Herbert A. Wheeler, 1987
  • Scott A. Johnson, 1988
  • Louis J. Croft, 1989
  • James K. Tufts, III, 1990, 1997
  • Mark D. High, 1991
  • Gordon V. Danielson, 1992
  • Ralph R. Belezerian, 1993
  • Norman L. MacAskill, Jr., 1994
  • Ralph R. Belezerian, 1995
  • Roger I. Williams, 1996
  • Robert Alan Bloom, 1998, 2003
  • Nicholas W. Prifti, 1999
  • Todd B. Rivernider, 2000, 2001
  • Robert A. Bloom, 2002

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1858
  • Petition for Charter: 1859
  • Consolidation Petition (with Athelstan Lodge): 2003

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1992 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1869 1870 1882 1888 1896 1906 1911 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1937 1944 1949 1952 1956 1957 1960 1961 1965 1981 1988

HISTORY

  • 1958 (Centenary History, 1958-144; see below)

CENTENARY HISTORY, JUNE 1958

From Proceedings, Page 1958-144:

By Right Worshipful Edward M. Woodward, Jr.

The Year: 1858. The days of the forty-niners were barely over. Expansion to the far west was on apace. Slavery was the principal issue before the country. The rumblings of the coming conflict between the North and the South were being heard.

Worcester was then a City of about 23,000 people, but it was only ten years since it had given up the town form of government. While the steam railroad was here, even horse-cars for local transportation were still in the future.

Worcester was already a Masonic center, the seat of one Lodge, a Royal Arch Chapter, a Council of Royal and Select Masters, and an Encampment of Knights Templar. All of these bodies had been dormant during the anti-Masonic period. It was only fourteen years since Morning Star Lodge and Worcester County Encampment had been revived, twelve years since Worcester Chapter had resumed work, while Hiram Council had just awakened from its long sleep.

It was in this setting and during this period of reviving interest in Freemasonry that Montacute Lodge was born. On petition of thirty-one members of Morning Star Lodge, a dispensation dated June 21, 1858, was issued by the Grand Master, M. W. John T. Heard, authorizing the formation of a new Lodge in Worcester.

There is no record of any preliminary meetings of the petitioners. All were young in Masonry, as might be expected from the short time since the revival of the Fraternity here. Twenty-one had been raised within the past two and a half years, and the oldest had been a Mason for only eight years.

The petitioners requested that the new Lodge be called Crescent Lodge. However, on the suggestion of the Grand Master, the name was changed to Montacute, commemorative of what was supposed to be the title of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, Anthony Brown, Viscount Montacute, who, in 1733, deputized Henry Price to be Provincial Grand Master of New England.

This dispensation named Bro. William Addison Smith, thirty-four years of age, as the first Master. While he had been a Mason for less than two years, he had already served a term as Junior Deacon of Morning Star Lodge and was then Senior Warden of that Lodge. He was a lawyer by profession and Assistant Clerk of Courts of Worcester County.

The Senior Warden was to be Bro. George Whitfield Bentley, thirty-six years old, Superintendent of the Worcester & Nashua Railroad Company, a Mason of five years' standing.

The oldest in age, but the youngest in Masonic experience, of rhe first three officers was the Junior Warden, Bro. James Henry Osgood. Although forty-two years old, he had been a Master Mason for less than two months. He was in the express business.

The first meeting of the new Lodge was on Tuesday evening, July 13, 1858, at Waldo Hall in the Waldo Block on the east side of Main Street just north of the Bay State House at the corner of Exchange Street. This was the meeting place of Morning Star Lodge. The first business was to complete the organization of the Lodge. Bro. William H. Eaton, who conducted a business school known as "Eaton's Commercial College, was elected Secretary; Bro. Seth P. Miller, a dentist, Treasurer; and the Master announced his appointments of the remaining officers. This first meeting was held on the second Tuesday of the month and the second Tuesday became the day for the regular communications until 1867.

At the next regular, August 10th, three applicants for the degrees were accepted, and the Entered Apprentice Degree was conferred on two of them on the same evening. The Second Degree was worked for the first time on November 9th and the Third Degree on December 14th. At last the day came to which all were looking forward. On June 28, 1859, Montacute Lodge was constituted by M. W. John T. Heard, after which the officers were installed.

Five of those who petitioned for the dispensation decided not to become charter members. There was one name on the charter which was not included in the dispensation, R. W. Henry Goddard. Brother Goddard was a Past Master of Morning Star Lodge and was Senior Grand Warden in 1858. He was later to become District Deputy Grand Master, and still later, to demit to become a charter member and first Master of Athelstan Lodge. Montacute Lodge began its career as a chartered Lodge with twenty-seven charter members and nine others who had been raised under dispensation, a total of thirty-six.

Montacute Lodge sub-rented Waldo Hall from Morning Star Lodge. The rent, at first $60 per annum, was increased to $75 in April 1859. In June 1861 it was again raised to $100 to be retroactive to April. This raise did not meet with favor in Montacute Lodge and payment was held up. On August 13th a communication was received from Morning Star Lodge stating that unless the $25 due for the quarter ending July 1st be not paid by the next regular communication of Morning Star, the further occupancy of the rooms by Montacute Lodge must be prohibited. It was voted to place the letter on file, and a committee was appointed to procure a suitable place for future meetings.

The committee, under the leadership of the Master, Wor. George W. Bentley, immediately went to work and fitted up a hall in the Bank Block on Foster Street. This building is now occupied in part by the Worcester County Electric Co. The lodge-room, named Montacute Hall, was dedicated by M.W. William D. Coolidge, Grand Master, on the afternoon of November 12, 1861. At the annual meeting of the Lodge, held in the evening, the new officers were installed by the Grand Master. The three York Rite Bodies occupied the hall jointly with Montacute Lodge.

Athelstan Lodge was constituted in 1866 and twenty-four demitted from Montacute to become charter members. Seven of these had been charter members of Montacute Lodge, one was a Past Master (Wor. John D. Washburn), and others had been zealous workers in the Lodge. Montacute Lodge granted them free use of the hall and the Lodge jewels while working under dispensation.

Shortly before the annual communication of 1865, on the motion of Wor. William A. Smith, the Lodge voted to invite the wives and lady friends of the members to witness the ceremonies of the next installation. Accordingly, on November 21st, Montacute Lodge held its first public installation. The Master installed was William S. Goodwin, and the installing officer was the Grand Master, M. W. William Parkman. Following the ceremonies a bountiful repast was provided in the banquet hall. After a few short speeches, the Lodge was closed at low twelve, waiving all ceremony. The wish was expressed by many that a public installation might become an annual recurrence. However, it was not until 1869 that one was attempted again. Public installations have not been popular in Montacute Lodge, for on only one other occasion has one been held. This was in 1941, when Earl C. Richards became Master. The installing officer was the then Worshipful Thomas S. Roy, who was assisted by the Past Masters of the Lodge.

In 1866 (February 13) a committee was appointed, in the words of the records, "to confer with like committees from other Masonic bodies of this city relative to a proposition of certain capitalists to prepare a suite of rooms in a building about to be erected on Pearl Street in this city for use of the various Masonic bodies." There were then seven Masonic bodies in Worcester including Morning Star Lodge, which was still meeting in the Waldo Block. These seven bodies leased for twenty years the third and fourth floors of the new building, which became known as the "Post Office Building" as the Worcester Post Office was located on the street floor.

At three o'clock in the afternoon of June 17, 1867, Montacute Lodge assembled with Morning Star and Athelstan Lodges at Horticultural Hall, then on Front Street, to receive the Grand Master and suite. They were introduced by Bro. James B. Blake, Mayor of Worcester, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Apartments, and a member of Montacute Lodge. A procession was then formed and, under escort of Worcester County Encampment of Knights Templar, passed through some of the principal streets to the Bay State House, where it was dismissed. In the evening the Brethren reassembled at the new Masonic Apartments, which were dedicated by the Grand Master, M. W. Charles C. Dame.

Apparently some of the Brethren were not satisfied in their minds as to whether Montacute Lodge was properly named. On November 1, 1869, the following action was taken: "On motion of Bro. William A. Smith, it was Voted, that the first three officers of this Lodge memorialize the Grand Lodge that the vexed question whether the name of the lord from whom this Lodge was named was Montacute or Montague be settled." At the next quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge a committee was appointed consisting of Past Grand Masters John T. Heard and Winslow Lewis, and the Master of Montacute Lodge, Henry C. Willson, to

  • 1st. Determine whether the title of Viscount, created in 1554, in favor of Sir Anthony Brown, was Montacute or Montague, and
  • 2nd. Ascertain what were the arms of the family of Anthony Brown.

The committee made a very thorough investigation, examining evidence both Masonic and other than Masonic. A year later, December 14, 1870, they submitted a report covering over one hundred pages in the printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge. The evidence examined was very conflicting. Quoting from the report: "in several cases the same author refers to it (the title of the viscountancy) in one place as Montague or Montagu, and in another as Montacute." The committee quoted one authority as saying: "alluding to both names, * * * they referred to a sharp-hill in Somersetshire, 'from which the illustrious family of Montacute, sometime earls of Salisbury, took their name.'" Anthony Brown was a descendant of the Montacutes, but the name and title had long since lapsed. He was the sixth Viscount and the patent creating his ancestor, the first Viscount, in every instance is given as "Montague."

The report concluded with these recommendations:

  • 1st. That Montacute Lodge have leave, on their petitioning therefore, to change their name to Montague Lodge, and
  • 2nd. That * * * Montacute Lodge be free to continue to use their present seal or to change the devices thereon according to their taste and inclination.

Montacute Lodge never availed itself of the permissions given by the Grand Lodge. Later evidence, both legal and otherwise, tended to indicate that both names had "been used interchangeably for many hundreds of years, and in point of fact, were one and the same." Whatever may have been the correct title of the Viscount, our Lodge has now borne the name Montacute for one hundred years.

In 1871 Montacute Lodge again contributed to the formation of a new Lodge when six of its members demitted to become charter members of Quinsigamond Lodge. Of this group, Bro. Henry C. Wadsworth became the first Master.

For reasons not given, a committee reported it inexpedient to observe the twenty-fifth anniversary of the constitution of the Lodge in 1884. After the Fraternity had occupied the Pearl Street Apartments for nearly thirty years, it is natural that it should be thinking of a Temple of its own. As early as 1885 dissatisfaction with the quarters and the need for enlarged accommodations had been expressed. The rooms had been well managed by an organization called the Directors of the Masonic Fraternity, consisting of three representatives from each of the Masonic bodies. At the regular communication in July, 1895, a resolution was adopted approving organizing and incorporating a Masonic Building Association for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a Masonic Temple in Worcester. Such an organization was formed, and was called "The General Masonic Committee of 33," which was incorporated the next year (1896) as the "Worcester Masonic Charity and Educational Association." For awhile much enthusiasm for the project was shown. Then the interest began to wane. Many felt that the cost of the Temple as planned was too much; others were dissatisfied with the site purchased (the lot on which the present Temple is located). The plan of financing was rejected by Montacute Lodge by a vote of 77 to 1 in 1898. Only two of the bodies adopted the necessary amendments to their By-Laws. And so the project was given up until it was revived eleven years later.

Montacute Lodge was now approaching its fiftieth year. At the regular communication held on the 4th day of March, 1907, upon motion of Wor. George M. Rice, it was voted to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the organization of the Lodge and that the Worshipful Master, at some future meeting, appoint a committee of five with power to make all necessary arrangements therefor.

In accordance with the plans worked out by the committee, a special communication of Montacute Lodge was opened at ten o'clock in the forenoon of Sunday, June 21, 1908, with the officers and one hundred and ninety-four Brethren present. The Grand Master, M. W. J. Albert Blake, and suite were received. Then it was announced that the Lodge had accepted an invitation from Rev. Bro. Vincent E. Tomlinson to attend divine worship at the First Universalist Church. The Lodge was formed in procession and marched to the church on Pleasant Street, where an "impressive and interesting sermon, especially suited to the occasion" was delivered by Dr. Tomlinson. After the service the Lodge returned to the lodge-room where it was called from labor to refreshment.

On Monday, June 22nd, at three o'clock in the afternoon, the Worshipful Master, for the purpose of continuing the celebration, called the Lodge from refreshment to labor and the Grand Master and suite were received. The exercises consisted of an address by Rev. Bro. R. Perry Bush; the reading of an original poem by Bro. Joseph Jackson, Chaplain of Montacute Lodge; the History of the Lodge (later printed) by Wor. George M. Rice; and selections by an eight-piece orchestral group composed of members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. At 6:30 two hundred and sixty Brethren assembled in Association Hall in the Y. M. C. A. Building on Elm Street where, after a prayer by the Grand Chaplain, a banquet was served. At its conclusion the Master introduced R. W. Forrest E. Barker as Toastmaster. The after-dinner speakers included the Grand Master, M. W. J. Albert Blake, and our first Master, R. W. William A. Smith.

In 1909 interest in building a Masonic Temple was revived. This time the project was carried to a successful conclusion. On Friday, September 12, 1913, the corner-stone was laid by the Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Herbert E. Fletcher. Just previous to the ceremonies, Montacute Lodge participated with the other Worcester Lodges in a parade under escort of Worcester County Commandery from the old apartments on Pearl Street through Chestnut and Harvard Streets to Lincoln Square and thence down Main Street to Ionic Avenue and the site of the Temple.

R. W. William A. Smith, our first Master, then in his ninetieth year, was present at the ceremonies. The Lodge was saddened less than two weeks later by his death. At the time of his passing he was the oldest graduate of Harvard College, the oldest member of the Worcester County Bar, and had been clerk and treasurer of the Worcester County Mechanics Association for forty-three years. A Masonic funeral service was held by Montacute Lodge at Grace Methodist Church, of which he was a member, on September 27, 1913.

A year later, on September 3, 1914, the new Temple was dedicated by M.W. Melvin M. Johnson, Grand Master. Again Montacute Lodge participated in a parade in the forenoon, the ceremony of dedication was in the afternoon, and a banquet was held at the Bancroft Hotel in the evening. In January 1921 another Lodge was constituted in Worcester, Isaiah Thomas. Nine members of Montacute Lodge were among the twenty-seven charter members. Unlike previous instances, they were not required to demit, as plural membership was now permitted. R. W. Matthew J. Whittall and Brother Edward M. Woodward were the first Wardens, and Brothers William W. Brown and Arthur B. Chapin the first Deacons. All were members of Montacute Lodge and all became Masters of Isaiah Thomas.

A special communication was called on April 28, 1924, for the purpose of receiving as guest of the Lodge Bro. Channing H. Cox, Governor of Massachusetts. He was escorted to the west of the Altar and introduced by Wor. Burt W. Greenwood. Bro. James Logan presented him to the Brethren for his address. At its conclusion, R. W. Frederic W. Southwick, in behalf of the Lodge, presented a Masonic apron to our guest, who, in turn, in behalf of the Grand Master, pinned on Brother Southwick's coat a Henry Price Medal, which at that time was awarded for fifty years' membership.

On Thursday evening, June 21, 1928, the seventieth anniversary of the institution of Montacute Lodge was observed. Special seventieth anniversary medals were presented to all who were seventy years old or older, and so living when the Lodge was instituted. There were fifty-three of these (7% of the membership), of whom twenty-three were present. In the record of this communication is the following letter addressed to the Worshipful Master and members at the one hundredth anniversary:

Worcester, Mass., June 21, 1928
To the Worshipful Master (June 1958)

My dear Worshipful Master:

As Worshipful Master, and in behalf of the Officers and Members of Montacute Lodge here assembled at its Seventieth Anniversary Exercises, June 21, 1928, we extend to the Master, Officers, and Members of Montacute Lodge at its One Hundredth Anniversary in 1958, our sincere greetings and fraternal felicitations.

May its life, service and prestige remain on that high plane amongst Masonic Lodges as has been its fortune since its institution.

Fraternally yours,
/s/ H. Lyman Rawson, Master

1933 was another anniversary year, the seventy-fifth. On invitation of Rev. Bro. Thomas S. Roy, Senior Deacon, about seventy members and their families attended the First Baptist Church on Sunday, June 25th, as part of the anniversary observance. At a special communication on Monday evening, an historical talk was given by one of our Past Masters, Wor. Fred M. Sampson.

In September 1934 the Brethren were shocked by the sudden death of our Secretary, Wor. Arthur L. Stone, who had served faithfully in that office for sixteen years. A Masonic funeral service was held in the Egyptian Chamber on the 23rd. He was succeeded by R. W. Edward M. Woodward, Jr., who was transferred from the Treasurer's station and served for the next twenty-three years, until September 1957.

In December 1942 our Past Master, R.W. Thomas S. Roy, was appointed Deputy Grand Master on completion of service for a year as District Deputy Grand Master for the 22nd District. On the eighth day of the following March (1943), Montacute Lodge tendered a reception to him in the Egyptian Chamber. The occasion was graced by the presence of M.W. Albert A. Schaefer and other officers and members of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Master bestowed upon R.W. Brother Roy a Henry Price Medal. Wor. G. Willard King presented him with a Deputy Grand Master's jewel in behalf of Montacute Lodge.

In December 1950 the members of Montacute Lodge were thrilled by the election and installation of Dr. Roy as Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. The Master of Montacute Lodge in 1951 was Wor. Frederick J. Shaw, Jr., who had been sponsored and raised by Brother Roy when he was Deputy Grand Master. Now, through a happy coincidence, Brother Shaw, as Master, had the privilege of receiving Brother Roy as Grand Master in Montacute Lodge at a reception given in the latter's honor on January 29, 1951. After the flow of wit and wisdom from the distinguished guests present, the Master requested that Wor. G. Willard King, who had sponsored Dr. Roy when he applied to Montacute for affiliation and who had given him his first appointment as a line officer of Montacute, be conducted to the East. Brother King then presented a traveling bag to the Grand Master in behalf of the Past Masters of the Lodge. The Lodge was closed in Ample Form. Quoting the closing words of the record of the meeting: "Thus ended a unique incident in the history of Montacute Lodge, the like of which will not occur again for many, many years, if ever."

On June 9, 1953, a devastating tornado struck Worcester. The Master, Wor. Francis B. Page, announced in Lodge that he had personally visited seventy or more of our members in the tornado area. He stated that he found pride paramount among them, and none would admit needing assistance from the Lodge. Later investigation indicated that assistance was needed by several. It was furnished from a fund established by the Grand Lodge in part from its own funds and in part by contributions by some of the local collateral bodies and by individuals.

The remaining occurrences in our history are too recent to be recorded here. From a charter membership of twenty-seven the Lodge steadily grew until there were 334 when it was twenty-five years old, 484 at its fiftieth anniversary, with a maximum membership of 792 in 1928. Then came the depression and ground was lost until 1941 when the membership had dropped to 601. After this the tide turned and our membership is now 722.

The year is now 1958. One hundred years have come and gone. The frontier is not the West, but outer space. The inventive genius of man has produced wonders not even dreamed of when Montacute Lodge was born. But it has not produced peace and harmony among the nations. May the spirit of Freemasonry so enter the hearts of all men that a better world will greet our Brethren of fifty and one hundred years hence.

OTHER

  • 1869 (Communication with the UGLE regarding the name Montacute, VII-438)
  • 1870 (Communication with the UGLE regarding the name Montacute, 1870-239)
  • 1872 (Note regarding non-payment of dues, 1872-10)
  • 1908 (First Master of the lodge present at Quarterly, 1908-104)
  • 1913 (Participation in Worcester temple dedication, 1913-164)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION, JUNE 1859

BayStateHouseWorcester.jpg
Bay State House, Worcester

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 10, August, 1859, p. 295:

MONTACUTE LODGE.

This is the name of a new Lodge which was consecrated at Worcester, in this State, on Tuesday, the 28th June last, after having worked one year under Dispensation. It takes its name from Lord Montacute, who, as Grand Master of Masons in England, granted, in 1733, a Commission to Henry Price, to organize the first Grand Lodge in America, which was opened in this city in July of that year. The ceremonies of Consecration and installation of officers were performed by M. W. Grand Master Heard, assisted by the R. W. Charles R. Train, D. G. M.; Wm. D. Coolidge, as S. G. W.; Chas. Robbins, J. G. W.; W. W. Wheildon, as G. Treas.; Chas. W. Moore, G. Sec'y; Rev. E. M. P. Wells, D. D., G. Chaplain ; Wm. S. Gardner, G. Marshal, and other officers of the Grand Lodge. Previous to the commencement of the ceremonies, the Grand Officers, at the invitation of the new Lodge, sat down to one of the most elegant and inviting entertainments it has been our privilege to be a party to for many-a-day, whether regarded in the light of its own tempting excellence or in the manner of serving. In both these particulars it did ample credit to the good taste of the gentlemanly host of the " Bay State."

INSTALLATION, NOVEMBER 1863

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIII, No. 3, January, 1864, p. 86:

At the regular communication of Montacute Lodge, held at their Hall, Nov. 10, 1863, the following Brethren were elected officers for the present year, and were duly installed by D. D. G. M. J. W. Dadmun:—

  • Benj. Lewis, W. M.
  • Wm. S. Goodwin, S. W.
  • Albert Walbridge, J. W.
  • T. W. Wellington, Treas
  • Geo. Phelps, Sec
  • Stephen E. Lowe, S. D.
  • John W. Jordan, J. D.
  • J. H. Willis, Chaplain
  • Jonas Heald. Jr., Marshal
  • Henry C. Willson, S. S
  • Emory Wilson, J. S
  • C. F. Mirick, I. Sent.
  • Daniel Seagrave, Tyler.

The Trustees elected at the same meeting were W. Bro. Benj. Lewis, and Brother Henry Goddard and Henry M. Whitten. The Relief Committee are Brothers Chas. B. Whiting, Wm. S. Goodwin and Alfort Wallridge.

INSTALLATION, NOVEMBER 1866

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVI, No. 2, December 1866, Page 62:

The Annual Communication of Montacute Lodge was held at their hall on Tuesday evening, Nov. 13, 1866, and the following brothers were duly elected and installed as officers for the ensuing year, the ceremony of installation being performed by R. W. D. D. G. M. A. A. Burditt.—

  • Albert Walbridge, W. Master.
  • Emory Wilson, S. Warden.
  • John W. Jordan, J. Warden.
  • George F. Wood, Treasurer.
  • George E. Boyden, Secretary.
  • Rev. B. F. Bowles, Chaplain.
  • Henry C. Willson, S. Deacon.
  • Nelson R. Scott, J. Deacon.
  • William Allen, S. Steward.
  • Charles W. Moody, J. Steward.
  • Robert H. Chamberlain, Marshal.
  • Porter Davis, I. Sentine.
  • Daniel Seagrave, Tyler.

OFFICER LIST, DECEMBER 1867

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVII, No. 2, December 1867, Page 64:

Officers of Montacute Lodge, Worcester.—

  • W. M., Br. Emery Wilson
  • S. W., Br. John W. Jordan
  • J. W., Br. Henry Ch. Willson
  • Treasurer, Br. George F. Wood
  • Secy., Br. Geo. E. Boyden
  • S. D., Br. N. B. Scott
  • J. D., Br. Chas. W. Moody
  • Chap. Rev. Br. J. O. Peck
  • S. S., Br. John H. Coes
  • J. S., Br. John Delano
  • I. S., Br. P. Davis
  • M., Br. Chas. S. Chapin.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

OTHER BROTHERS

  • Matthew John Whittall, Director of Grand Lodge; Memorial

DISTRICTS

1858: District 6

1867: District 11 (Worcester)

1883: District 18 (Worcester)

1911: District 21 (Worcester)

1927: District 21 (Worcester)

1931: District 22 (Worcester)


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges