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NORFOLK UNION LODGE

Location: Randolph; Quincy ()

Chartered By: Francis J. Oliver

Charter Date: 06/07/1819 III-205

Precedence Date: 06/07/1819

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Charter: 1819
• Petition for Restoration of Charter: 1854

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1919 (Centenary)

• 2009 (150th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1866 (Dame; Hall dedication; not in Proceedings, but see below)
• 1880 (Welch; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1881
• 1895 Hall Dedication; Special Communication)
• 1896 reception for Deputy Grand Master Henry A. Belcher)
• 1906 (Blake)
• 1907 (Blake)
• 1911 (Flanders; Hall Dedication; Special Communication)
• 1919 (L. Abbott; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1939 (Perry; reception for Senior Grand Warden George E. White)
• 1944 (A. Coolidge; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1969 (Jaynes; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1979 (Melanson)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1871 1872 1876 1883 1887 1894 1895 1902 1920 1926 1930 1934 1942 1950 1951 1958 1965 1969 1976 1994 1998 2004 2006 2011 2012

HISTORY

• 1919 (Centennial historical address, 1919-143)
• 1944 (125th Anniversary History, 1944-84; see below)
• 1969 (150th Anniversary History, 1969-179)

125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1944

From Proceedings, Page 1944-84:

By Reverend Brother Joseph J. Russell.

In undertaking to present in the time available for it the history of Norfolk Union Lodge, I am not going to go into great detail. The excellent paper written by Worshipful Frank C. Granger and presented at the Centennial celebration twenty-five years ago covers the first one hundred years so thoroughly that to duplicate that would be a waste of time and effort. It may be, however, that we can learn to evaluate and appreciate what Norfolk Union Lodge has stood for in the past if we begin by taking a brief glimpse at the times and circumstances when it was instituted.

If we were presenting a biographical sketch of some individual, we should naturally begin by inquiring into three things. Into what kind of a world was he born? What do we know of his family? What was his home environment? There are certain similar questions to be asked about an organization. Into what kind of a world was Norfolk Union Lodge born when it first saw the light of day on June 9, 1819? The United States was then at the height of a period known as "The Era of Good Feeling." This name arises from three principal facts. It was an era in which the party strife so typical of our national politics was temporarily unknown. The old Federalist party which had had its last strongholds in New England was dead. The party of Thomas Jefferson, known first as the Republican party, and later the Democratic-Republican, and finally the Democratic, ruled supreme. So there was at least an absence of political ill feeling in any partisan sense.

More important for our purposes, however, is the optimism of the period. The great west was rapidly opening up. Americans were becoming conscious that the little nation along the Atlantic seaboard possessed the greatest potential wealth of any country in the world. Emigrants were pouring westward. It may be of interest in this connection to note that the same meeting of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which approved the petition for the establishment of a Lodge in the Town of Randolph also dealt with a petition from a Lodge in Marietta, Ohio, which had been organized under a "traveling charter" for use "in the town of Roxbury and elsewhere," and which, being asked to submit itself to the authority of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, which was a comparatively new organization, sought to assert its original relation to that of Massachusetts. The point at issue in the petition is of little interest to us, but it is significant that Masonry was following the ox-carts into what had only recently been the Northwest Territory.

The third factor about the Era of Good Feeling was the expansion which almost everything in our national life was undergoing. This was true in the old communities along the Coast as well as in the great Northwest. New England shipowners were expanding the commerce of the seaports. Even manufacturing, which had been but a small element in our national economy, was expanding and New England showed signs of becoming the great industrial territory it now is. Everyone in America, East and West, was ready, as we should say today, "to go places."

That there was a threatening under-current in our national life must also be recognized. Expansion westward was bringing an extension of slave territory, and the Northern states, with an economy based on free labor, were uneasy. At the very time our Lodge was organized, Missouri was preparing to ask admission to the Union as a slave state. This would give slave holders a majority in the United States Senate, and the so-called "good feeling" of the day was giving way to sectional rivalry. The issue was postponed by the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by which Maine, formerly a "district" of Massachusetts, was admitted as a free State to restore the balance. It is a matter of interest to Masons that this compromise, like the one thirty years later which was so much more complex, was engineered by one of our Brethren, Henry Clay.

Truly, Norfolk Union Lodge was born in exciting times, and they were times when Masons were playing an important part. Not only was Henry Clay a member of the Order, so was the rough and ready hero of the frontier soon to become one of our most able presidents, Andrew Jackson. And of even greater importance at the moment, the President of the United States was a Mason. James Monroe had been initiated an Entered Apprentice in Williamsburg Lodge in Virginia on November 9, 1775. The absence of any record as to when he received the other two degrees gives support to the tradition that he received them in a Military Lodge while serving under General Washington. At any rate, he was a member of Williamsburg Lodge in good standing while serving as President. The Governor of Massachusetts was also a Mason. Brother John Brooks was elected in 1816 and served for several terms. A curious fact regarding his first campaign will be mentioned a little later.

Just how many Lodges there were in this Commonwealth in 1819, I have not been able to ascertain, but the Order was growing rapidly. Seven years later there were 107 Lodges, with a total membership of about 4500. In the towns near or adjacent to Randolph, there were four then existing which still carry on. Old Colony of Hingham had been instituted in 1792, Fellowship of Bridgewater in 1797, Rising Star of Stoughton in 1799, and Rural of Quincy in 1801. Norfolk Union has the distinction of being second oldest Lodge in the 26th (Quincy) District.

Now a few words as to Randolph itself. The town, which we all know included what is now Holbrook until 1873, was partaking of the expansion typical of the period. Although the actual size of the figures may sound ridiculous in comparison with those of today, the growth from 1802 to 1816 may be significant. In a paper read by Worshipful J. White Belcher at the 150th anniversary of the First Congregational Church of Randolph in 1881, he states that in 1802 the town raised $700.00 for town expenses, and $300.00 for schools, but by 1816 this had grown to $1000.00 for town expenses and $600.00 for schools. One wonders what the tax rate would be today if the combined budgets of Randolph and Holbrook amounted to only $1600.00! The expansion of population in the town is shown by the fact that the inhabitants living East of the Cochato River had determined to have their own meeting house, and in 1819, in spite of opposition, the Second Congregational Church was founded. This Church was the parent of the Winthrop Congregational, which was founded thirty-seven years later and which soon became the only Church of that order in East Randolph. That new ways were appearing in religion is shown by the fact that the First Church opened its Sunday School in May, 1819, an event which they duly celebrated a few weeks ago. The change which was creeping into the town's religious life is further shown in the establishment of the First Baptist Church of Randolph the same year.

It was a time for new undertakings and Masons were ready to take advantage of them. On a corner where the Jenney Filling Station now stands there was a tavern where one David Jacobs entertained strangers and where he also began to entertain Brothers. On January 22, 1819, say the old records, "at a meeting of a number of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons at the home of David Jacobs in Randolph" it was "voted to petition the Grand Lodge for a charter for holding a lodge in the Town of Randolph." Brothers Ephraim Wales and Royal Turner were appointed a committee to draft the petition, and Ephraim Wales and Luther Thayer a committee to present it to the neighboring Lodges for approbation. On May 10th, another meeting voted to recommend Brother Royal Turner as the first Master, Brother Ephraim Wales as the first Senior Warden, and Brother Luther Thayer as first Junior Warden. The name "Norfolk Union Lodge" was adopted. The Grand Lodge saw fit to grant the petition, and on June 9,1819, Norfolk Union Lodge was regularly instituted with eleven charter members.

What sort of men were these who first held forth the principles of Masonry in this community? Perhaps the best answer which can be given in a short time is to read the following brief statement which appears in the 150th anniversary history of the First Congregational Church, from which I have already quoted. It is in a list of liberally educated men who were numbered among the parishioners of that Church. "Royal Turner, Colonel, son of Seth and Abigail (Wales) Turner, born 1792; graduated at Harvard 1813; died December 31, 1862." This is no biography, but it suggests the kind of man our first Worshipful Master was. Twenty-seven years of age when elected to that office, he was a man of education. Where he received the title "Colonel" is not stated. Possibly in the War of 1812, at least the dates would allow such a possibility. But it seems to me more likely that he was a Colonel in the local militia. At any rate, it would appear that he, as presumably the other charter members, was a man of good standing in the community, a solid, substantial resident, and a church man. It may be worth remembering that Horatio B. Alden, the first Secretary of the Lodge, is also listed among the men of the First Church who received a liberal education and rose to prominence in the community.

The new Lodge was formally installed that autumn, Brothers Isaac Spear and Horatio Alden being appointed "to consult with the Master of the band and choristers concerning tunes to be performed on the day of the Installation," and Brother Steward being charged "to see that the singers are suitably provided with refreshments on said day." Nothing is said as to what tunes the band and choristers "performed," nor as to whether the "refreshments" were such as to inspire the tenors among the Choristers to any special effort. Our imaginations may answer the latter question. The former must remain forever a mystery. The addresses on the occasion were delivered by the Reverend Brother Samuel Guild of Milton, and Brother Joseph Richardson of Hingham, both of whom set an excellent example by returning the fees proffered them for their services.

The Lodge prospered for the first few years of its existence, but soon a period of hard times set in for the Order, which threatened to wipe it out of existence altogether. A memorandum dated January 31, 1855, says of the charter of the Lodge, "Surrended in 1837, Returned in 1854." Those brief words introduce us to one of the strangest episodes in American History —the Anti-Masonic Movement.

It would be cheap and easy to say that this Movement was entirely the result of an underhanded plot on the part of unworthy men to destroy a great and high-minded organization, but that is to over-simplify the facts. Masons are human, and subject to human temptations and weaknesses, and one of the most insidious of human weaknesses is the one which leads those who have good intentions to go too far in carrying them out. In those optimistic days of the era of expansion, Masonry was strongly suspected of plotting to become a sort of invisible government wherein intelligent and high-minded men should run the Country for its own good. Well-meaning people are often easy victims of the temptation to say: "If we could only run things our way, it would be all right." In the second decade of the 19th century some groups had undertaken this sort of thing and the general public, which does not take kindly to the idea of handing over its affairs to even the best of men to run, was suspicious and sensitive.

The idea that Masons wanted to do this was given some color here in Massachusetts by an indiscreet political article which appeared in the Boston Centinel during the political campaign of 1816. You will remember that I said that John Brooks, Governor of the Commonwealth when Norfolk Union Lodge was instituted, was a Mason. When he ran for Governor for the first time, he was opposed by Samuel Dexter, who was not a Mason. The article in question in the Centinel was signed, "A Master Mason," and bore the Square and Compasses. It stated: "All other things being favorable, a Master Mason is bound by every Masonic obligation to vote for the one who is a Free and Accepted Brother, in preference to one who is not." Since the editor of that paper was Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts at the time, it is little wonder that the general public was lead to suspect that Masonry was trying in its own name to exercise political power. We wonder what might happen if such an incident were to occur today!

Right Worshipful Frederick W. Hamilton, from whose interesting paper of 1915 on the Anti-Masonic movement I culled the above quotation, is my authority for stating that this kind of indiscretion furnished the fuel for a fire which was kindled in another state by a curious and mystifying incident. When one William Morgan published a book in Batavia, New York, revealing the whole ritual of Masonry, a book of which a few copies are still in existence, he suddenly disappeared. What happened to him no one knows. His disappearance was charged to the Masons, who were said to have murdered him. Then there swept across the country one of the curious and tragic waves of intolerance such as have been directed against other groups at other times, and which may again prove to be among the most unlovely aspects of American public life.

Lodge after Lodge was threatened by mob violence, and went into hiding. In 1836, only nine Lodges were represented in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. I believe I am correct in stating that our neighbor Lodge, Rising Star of Stoughton, was one which never gave up. Here and there a few individuals stood by their obligations. Gradually the movement died down. Prominent citizens who were Masons came out with declarations which finally had some effect, and by 1854, it was possible for meetings to be resumed. While we honor the determination of our Brethren in those unhappy days, and marvel that such an institution of ours could have been the victim of prejudice, let us take warning lest we in our day, not as an order, but as individuals, be drawn into an anti-anything movement founded on fear, for history usually manages to vindicate the victims and condemn the persecutors.

For the period from 1854 to 1919, there is not enough time to do more than say: "See Worshipful Brother Granger's excellent work." It may be well, however, to mention the fact that fifteen members fought in the Civil War and that a record for November, 1862, reads: "Thus are laid near together three Brethren of the Masonic Lodge, Captain Horace Niles; 1st Lt. William Palmer; 1st Sgt. George Henry, all wounded while successively in command of Co. E, 35th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, at the Battle of Antietam. Deeply do we mourn their loss. May God in His infinite Mercy spare us more such inflictions." And to this prayer, we of today, thinking of how many of our Brethren are in the fighting ranks, will add devoutly as did those of old, "So mote it be." In World War I, fourteen members served in the armed forces.

The whole period from 1854 to 1919 was marked by prosperity, and this was due to the observance of the principle that "harmony is the strength and support of any institution, more especially this of ours." Great was the rejoicing when the end of the first hundred years was reached. On Tuesday, June 3, 1919, a special communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was held in Randolph with anniversary exercises in the Church with which the early history of Norfolk Union Lodge was in many ways associated. The address of welcome was given by Worshipful Frank W. Vye, Master. Worshipful Frank C. Granger read the historical address. That evening a dinner was served, at which the Grand Master spoke, as did also Right Worshipful Albert P. Ballard, a special military deputy. And then Norfolk Union Lodge was ready to start on its second hundred years, one-fourth of which have already rolled by.

Nothing could be said about the period from 1919 to 1944 which ignored the two great experiences the world has undergone during that period — the great Depression, and the coming of another war. The depression had its effect on Masonry as it did on every institution in our society. Men out of work who could scarcely support their families could not pay initiation fees and Lodge dues, so the number of new members received during the period was small. Meanwhile, death took its inevitable toll, and the membership of Norfolk Union Lodge dropped from its high point of 306 in 1930 to 222 in 1943. It is encouraging to see that it is now increasing again, and we trust that the increase will continue. The membership at the time of the writing of this paper is 246.

Before we speak of the other great experience of our era, we may well pause to note a few of the events which meant much to members of our Order in the honoring of some of their Brethren. In 1923, the 33rd Degree was awarded to Right Worshipful Herbert F. French, and during this period also, fifty year Veteran's Medals were awarded to the following members of this Lodge: Brothers Lester Holbrook, Walter E. White, Edmund S. Piper, George H. Thayer and Arthur M. Towns. While the hearts of the Brethren have been gladdened by the honors thus received by our members, we have also been saddened when our fellowship has been visited by the Reaper. Saddest of all among the losses we as a Lodge have incurred, was on July 1st, 1942, when Right Worshipful George Edwin White was suddenly stricken, and in a few moments of time had passed to the Celestial Lodge on high. Right Worshipful Brother White was Master of this Lodge in 1916-17, and had been Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The meeting at which, in that capacity, he raised his son, now our Senior Deacon, to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, will remain in the memories of many members of this Lodge as one of the important events in this last quarter century.

Among the events of interest during the period may be listed the decision reached on December 14, 1921, to purchase the building in which are our present quarters. This has provided us with a convenient and commodious place for all our activities. The ability of the Lodge to carry on its charitable work was increased by the receipt of a bequest of $2000 on January 8, 1930, from the estate of Right Worshipful Henry G. Belcher. The income from this bequest is used for these purposes. An important meeting which many will recall was held on April 17, 1929, when Most Worshipful Winfield Scott Solomon, a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, spoke on American Masonry in Germany during the first World War.

Honorary memberships in the Lodge were conferred during these years on the following: Brother Charles H. Spear, 51 years a member, Brother Charles T. Chevigny, 48 years, Brother George M. Reed, 47 years, Worshipful Carroll A. Thayer, 44 years, Brother William Crossley, 43 years, Brother Walter E. White, 43 years, Worshipful Frank C. Granger, 41 years, and later on, Worshipful Arthur W. Alden, Worshipful John W. Porter, and Brothers Walter O. Crooker, George H. Thayer, Thomas F. Stetson and Harry F. Burrell.

After the hopes which had risen in every man's heart following the first World War, that freedom and peace had been established, even though those hopes had been gradually undermined, it was with a profound shock that we, like everyone else, realized that the world had been plunged into the abyss of another war. But when the progress of events proved to us that America must take its part, the history of 1861-65 and 1917-18 repeated itself. Norfolk Union Lodge has now on its roll of members in the armed services twenty names. To date we have not been forced to affix any gold stars to that roll, and it is our sincere prayer that we shall never have to. But if we do, we still have the faith which our Order teaches, that beyond this life there is a greater, and that those who have served faithfully in this life will attain to that blessed one. May God grant that we all so learn the lessons of brotherly love that in time to come there may go out from our Order an influence which shall help create a brotherhood of man. Then the principles of friendship, morality and brotherly love will come to full fruition, and all men will meet on the level, act on the plumb, and part upon the square.

OTHER

• 1866 (Jurisdictional dispute, VII-66)
• 1972 (Participation in Holbrook cornerstone re-laying, 1972-215)

EVENTS

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, JUNE 1830

From Boston Masonic Mirror, New Series, Vol. 2, No. 3, July 17, 1830, Page 19:

At the Annual Meeting of Norfolk Union Lodge holden at Randolph Mass. the following officers were elected for the current year.

• John Wales, M.
• Robert Shankland, S.W.
• Alexander Edson DuBois, J. W.
• Jacob Niles, T.
• Loring Thayer, S.
• Appollas Wales, S. D.
• Joshua Thayer, J. D.
• Jonathan W. Belcher, S. S.
• Henry Thayer, J. S.
• Rev. Benjamin Putnam, C.
• Joseph Tower, Jun., M.
• Reuel Packard, T.

HALL DEDICATION, MAY 1866

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXV, No. 8, June 1866, p. 231:

Norfolk Union Lodge at Randolph having recently leased and fitted up an elegant and convenient hall for its future accommodation, the same was formally dedicated by the M. W. Grand Lodge on the evening of the 3d of May last, in the presence of a large assemblage of brethren and their ladies. The occasion was one of more than ordinary interest, inasmuch as the ceremony was new to many of those who were present, and especially to the ladies, who had taken a deep interest and an active part in furnishing the hall and in the general arrangements. The ceremonies were performed by Grand Master Charles C. Dame in an effective and impressive manner, the. interest of which was enhanced by the singing of an excellent quartette choir.

At the conclusion of the services, the party were escorted to the banqueting-hall, and partook of an elegant entertainment prepared by the ladies; after which the company returned to the Lodge room, where short and appropriate speeches were made by the Grand Master and other brethren.

We are happy to know that the Lodge is in a prosperous condition, and that its future prospects are highly encouraging.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Henry A. Belcher, DDGM, District 24 (Brockton), 1891, 1892; Deputy Grand Master 1896
• Asa P. French, DDGM, District 24 (Brockton), 1897; SN
• Herbert F. French, DDGM, District 24 (Brockton), 1908, 1909; Junior Grand Warden 1912
• Richard S. Holiver, DDGM, District 26 (Quincy), 1987, 1988
• Richard F. Jope, DDGM, District 8, 2012, 2013
• Craig S. MacPherson, DDGM, District 26 (Quincy), 1999, 2000
• Frank Morton, DDGM, District 19 (Taunton), 1878, 1879; SN
• Warren G. Osgood, DDGM, District 26 (Quincy), 1947, 1948; N
• Aaron Prescott, DDGM, District 3, 1834; District 4, 1835; SN
• Benjamin Putnam, Grand Chaplain 1829-1833
• John B. Thayer, DDGM, District 19 (Taunton), 1880, 1881; SN
• Royal Turner, DDGM, District 3, 1831, 1832; SN
• Bradford L. Wales, DDGM, District 5, 1859; Senior Grand Warden 1857
• Albert Watmough, DDGM, District 26 (Quincy), 1965, 1966; N
• George E. White, DDGM, District 26 (Quincy), 1926; District 26 (Quincy), 1927; Senior Grand Warden 1939

DISTRICTS

1819: District 4 (Southeast)

1821: District 3

1835: District 4

1854: District 5

1867: District 16 (Plymouth)

1878: District 19 (Taunton)

1883: District 24 (Brockton)

1911: District 26 (Quincy)

1927: District 26 (Quincy)

2003: District 8

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges