PaulDean

PAUL DEAN LODGE

Location: North Easton

Chartered By: Charles C. Dame

Charter Date: 03/11/1868 VII-232

Precedence Date: 03/28/1867

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault; merged into Paul Revere Lodge, 09/25/2004.

PAST MASTERS

George B. Cogswell, 1867, 1868, 1870, 1871
George G. Withington, 1869
Lewis H. Smith, 1872, 1873
Edward R. Hayward, 1874
Samuel K. Kelly, 1875, 1876
John H. Swain, 1877, 1878; Mem
Julius D. Atwood, 1879, 1880
Luther Sisson, 1881, 1882
George K. Davis, 1883
Lorenzo B. Crockett, 1884-1887; Mem
John H. Davey, 1888, 1889
William H. Ames, 1890, 1891
George E. Dana, 1892, 1893
Louis C. Southard, 1894, 1895
George C. Belcher, 1896, 1897
Luther M. White, 1898, 1899
Walter Porter, 1900
John M. Williams, 1901, 1902
Edward B. Maglathin, 1903, 1904; Mem
Frederick Porter, 1905, 1906
John Gray, 1907, 1908
Joseph R. Clarke, 1909, 1910
Edward M. Carr, 1911, 1912
Edgar M. Baldwin, 1913, 1914, 1920
Willham E. Goward, 1915, 1916
John M. Smith, 1917, 1918; SN
Charles H. Lufkin, 1919
Albert Coggon, 1921, 1922
Elmer S. Adams, 1923
Clifton C. Ripley, 1924, 1925; N
George K. Marshall, 1926, 1927
Everett T. Reynolds, 1928, 1929
F. Ellis White, 1930, 1931
Winthrop L. Smith, 1932, 1933
Richard H. Southworth, 1934, 1935
Arthur T. Nystrom, 1936, 1937
Arthur T. Dahlborg, 1938, 1939
Arthur W. Jackson, 1940, 1941
William Banks, 1942
Wendell G. Anderson, 1943, 1944; N
Myron F. Williams, 1945, 1946
Malcolm H. Haskins, 1947, 1948
Lawrence L. Gurney, 1949
Kenneth Finlayson, 1950
Alphon N. Carlson, 1951
Ralph E. Mancheser, 1952
Robert A. Cushman, 1953
Gustav G. Rydholm, 1954
Robert D. Andrews, 1955
Richard A. Dailey, 1956
Charles A. Bulfinch, 1957
Everett A. Dunn, 1958
Emerson O. Kidder, 1959
Norman A. Anderson, 1960
John W. Hanscom, 1961
John A. Keach, 1962
Robert L. Poore, 1963
Thomas C. Dudley, 1964
Robert E. Thompson, 1965
Reginald L. Kindberg, 1966
Robert W. Firing, 1967
Robert O. DeWitt, 1968
Everett W. Ericson, 1969
John H. Christman, 1970
Lewis F. Dyer, 1971
Kenneth H. Doulette, 1972
Raymond A. Phillips, 1973; PDDGM
Austin C. Phillips, 1974
Donald Kidder, 1975
Charles E. Baker, 1976
Gordon E. Faust, 1977
Robert E. Smith, 1978; PDDGM
Charles A. Woodman, 1979
Carl H. Anderson, 1980, 1996; PDDGM
Gerald B. Nording, 1981
Bruce E. Morse, 1982
Martin A. Messinger, 1983
John L. Spiby, 1984
P. Roger Johnson, 1985
Robert B. Goodspeed, 1986
Gilbert F. Ferreira, 1987
Wayne P. Southworth, Sr., 1988
Frederick Gladstone, Sr., 1989
Robert P. Hackett, 1990
Bruce M. Robertson, 1991
Walter C. Allen, Jr., 1992
Steven T. Nikolsky, 1993
Michael R. Berry, 1994
Edward I. Waldman, 1995
Joseph D. White, 1997, 1998
Joel J. Young, 1999, 2002
Paul E. Anderson, 2000, 2001
Carl D. Johannesen, 2003, 2004

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1867
Petition for Charter: 1868
Consolidation Petition (with Paul Revere Lodge): 2004

ANNIVERSARIES

1967 (Centenary)
1992 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1868 (Dame; Constitution of Lodge and installation)
1881 (Lawrence; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
1884 (Howland)
1903 (Sanford)
1912 (Benton)
1927 (Simpson; Veterans' Night)
1960 (Eaton; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
1967 (Booth; Centenary; Special Communication)
1986 (Richardson)
1992 (Darling; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
2004 (Hicks; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1872 1880 1882 1904 1920 1922 1924 1930 1934 1952 1956 1957 1958 1960 1961 1972 1981 1991 1992 1995

HISTORY

1967 (Centenary History, 1967-112)
1992 (Paul Dean Lodge: Historical Perspectives, 1992-24, see below; includes a short essay on Grand Master Paul Dean, not in Proceedings)

125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1992

Historical Perspectives

For the next few moments I want you to go back to the mid 19th century around the years 1864, 1865 and 1867 and imagine what it was like to live in those times. The Civil War was still underway and was not ended as we know it until 1865. President Lincoln was still in office. Reconstruction of the war torn country had not been started. The economy of the United States was in shreds. Historical records reveal that many of the leaders on both sides of this conflict were members of our craft so we find that brothers were killing brothers. Horse and buggy and some early trains were the only means of transportation if you didn't want to walk long distances poor communication systems and widely scattered populations were the norms for the day.

There was little settlement in the Town of Easton with a population of a few hundred. North Easton in particular was rather a quiet farming community with apparently some interesting waterways which attracted the attention of Oliver Ames who organized the first major industry in the town which was called for many years the Ames Shovelworks. Oliver Ames later became a great benefactor along with other members of the Ames family not only to the Town of Easton but to the fledgling Paul Dean Lodge in particular.

On October 1, 1864 a group of eleven men tiring of the long traverse to Lodges in Brockton, Taunton, Stoughton and some other distant places gathered to discuss the formation of a Masonic Lodge in the Town of Easton. Records show that these early members of Masonry were residents of the town. On that very same meeting night the decision was made to name the Lodge after the Rev. Paul Dean, a prominent Unitarian clergyman who served the Unitarian Church in Easton from 1845 to 1850. Paul Dean also served on the Town of Easton School Committee in 1845, 1846, 1848 and 1850. Rev. Paul Dean served in just about every category of Masonry, both in Massachusetts and in other jurisdictions, including his installation as Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

The activities of Paul Dean Lodge continued for the next three years under the call of Lodges of Instruction.

On March 29, 1867 a special dispensation was granted by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge authorizing the continuance of the activities of the Lodge with George B. Cogswell and twenty-eight other tried and true members of our Craft to form and open a Lodge. This dispensation was to continue until the regular quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge was to be held in Boston in March 1868.

The first regular meeting took place on April 3, 1867 at what was then Mason's Hall located on the land which is now part of the Middle School lawn. Residence in Mason's Hall was short lived and a committee was organized for the purpose of relocation to what was to later become the North Easton Post Office, the North Easton Savings Bank and on the second floor the Town Offices. Over the next several years monies were appropriated to purchase furnishings and rules and regulations were promulgated for the operation of the Lodge. Meeting dates were voted and interestingly in the records it is reported that the meeting date and time was set on Wednesday next preceding the "full of the moon."

On November 6, 1867 it was voted to lease a hall from Brothers George Cogswell and Elijah L. Spooner. Rental for the new hall was $75.00 per year for period of five years. On January 1, 1868 the relocation to the new quarters was completed.

In February 1868 the Treasurer was authorized to draw up a petition for charter, to present it to each of the signers of the petition for dispensation and then to the Grand Lodge along with the required fee of fifty dollars as well as the first Grand Lodge assessment. A committee of three was appointed to present this petition to the Grand Secretary. Finally on March 28, 1868 the charter was approved and signed and Paul Dean Lodge was on its way.

Because of the constant need for repairs the members felt the need to consider another relocation of the Lodge quarters. In February 1879 a vote approved the selection of the committee to search for another site for Paul Dean Lodge. Records of the proceedings following the selection of the committee and their endeavors is somewhat sketchy but it was duly noted in the records of the Lodge of a letter received from Brother Oliver Ames and it is important that the contents of the letter be again read in its entirety. The letter is dated November 2, 1881.

"To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Paul Dean Lodge:

It gives me great pleasure to inform you that I have fitted up and furnished the third floor of the Oakes Ames Memorial Hall for the use of your Lodge.

It is proposed to deed the building to a Corporation, who shall grant you the free use of the above named premises so long as you shall desire. The expense of heating, lighting and caring for the same to be yours.

Trusting that you will accept my tender to you as above stated, with best wishes for your future welfare and prosperity — I am

Fraternally yours,
Oliver Ames

Note: Brother Oliver Ames was born February 4, 1831 was accepted into the Lodge on August 3, 1871, Entered August 13, 1873, Passed September 17,1873, was Raised October 22, 1873 and admitted to membership on that same date. He departed on October 22, 1895.

The several apartments of the new Lodge quarters were elegantly appointed including a ceiling symbolizing a starry-decked heaven. The Lodge facilities were reached by a climb of 109 stairs from the street level, winding and tortuous, interrupted by three landings which provided both young and old a measure of relief. On the evening of November 22, 1881 a gala affair of dedication took place in the new Lodge. There were 51 members and officers present with the Most Worshipful Grand Master Samuel C. Lawrence and his suite participating in the event. Mrs. Oliver Ames decorated the hall with flowers and ferns and palms as she had done over the years for socials. A quartet sang free of charge during the evening.

Records show a tremendous growth in membership over the next several years as well as improvements to the facilities. One noteworthy purchase was the purchase of three and four spittoons.

Many significant events took place over the next several years, too many to enumerate. Many members of Paul Dean Lodge became very well known in Masonic circles reaching far beyond the parameters of Paul Dean Lodge.

In 1958 the need was felt to again seek larger and more accessible Lodge quarters. A committee was formed for this purpose. After examining several sites it was voted by the membership to meet with the trustees of the North Easton Lutheran Church who were also seeking a new church location. A proposal for purchase was signed and on October 7, 1959, under the direction of the Worshipful Master Norman A. Anderson, this proposal was approved by the membership with 89 members present and voting, eighty in the affirmative and nine opposed.

Renovations to the church building were soon undertaken by dedicated members under the leadership of Brother George Copeland, Sr., Chairman, appointed clerk of the works to oversee the work of the many volunteers and many private contractors. Monies for these renovations were raised by donations and the sale of tokens inscribed with the Masonic emblem and the name of Paul Dean Lodge. Tokens were sold for $1.00 per token. Monies from a developing Building Trust Fund were appropriated also for this purpose. The first regular meeting in the new Paul Dean Lodge facilities was held on November 2, 1960.

On December 9, 1960 a dedication service was conducted under the direction of the Worshipful Master John W. Hanscom. Present for this dedication service and to officiate was the Most Worshipful Grand Master Lawrence E. Eaton and his suite of officers from the Grand Lodge. The ceremony was described as very impressive and instructional.

The work of the Lodge took on significant strides under the leadership of outstanding Masters and other Officers. Increases in expenditures required increases in annual dues as was to be expected but if one examines the records these dues increases were surprisingly kept at a bare minimum. The original furnishings are still in use and have been well maintained. The Lodge organ was replaced on June 30, 1969 with monies donated by the widow of Brother Warren Blood, Organist for many years and father of our Brother Gene Blood. Additional funding for this organ was derived from the membership drive in memory of Brother Warren.

Paul Dean Lodge has gained a very enviable reputation throughout the Massachusetts Masonic jurisdiction for its role in organizing and celebrating the various feasts in other Lodges such as the Feast of the Prime Rib and the Feast of Adam's Rib. The well stocked Anchor and Ark Tavern in the lower quarters of the Lodge has been the scene of many events often attended by large groups from other Lodges. For many years this preparation of the Feast both in and out of the Lodge as well as the monthly suppers preceding the monthly Lodge Meetings has been for the most part the work of Brother Harry McCabe, recently deceased, Epicurean Chairman of Paul Dean Lodge who was also the recipient of the Joseph Warren Medal for Outstanding Achievement. His role in Masonic affairs took on additional stature through his work at the Grand Master's fair and annual Chicken Barbecue at the Masonic Home in Charlton. Bavarian nights conducted annually are so well attended throughout the area by both members and non-members that the activity has to be held in the large auditorium on the second floor of the Oakes Ames Memorial Hall the site of our former Lodge quarters. Annual Christmas parties for members and their families have been so well attended that this past year 1991 the party was relocated to the Knights of Columbus Hall in South Easton. The hall was donated free of charge by our friends at the K of C. For a number of years Brother Harry McCabe adorned in his traditional Santa costume and driving his bright red Recreational Vehicle would provide animated sleigh rides for the youngsters through the streets surrounding the Lodge always under the protective eyes of our Masonic police officer Brethren.

Since Brother McCabe's demise, our monthly suppers have been provided by members of the Order of Eastern Star and at times assisted by members of the Brockton Assembly of Rainbow and members of the Taunton Order of DeMolay. Ladies nights at the Lodge, annual Eggnog Parties on January 1 of each year and various other outstanding events take place throughout the year.

Attendance at the Lodges of Instruction in the Taunton 28th Masonic District has resulted in several attendance awards.

One additional event should be mentioned that truly describes the love and dedication of our institution was the receipt of a large sum of money in perpetuity, the interest from this large principal to be used as determined by the Officers and members of Paul Dean Lodge. Although the donor wished to remain somewhat anonymous it was soon well known that the benefactor was Brother Stuart Heath now deceased of recent date.

A recent call of the roll reveals that throughout the history of Paul Dean Lodge a total of 935 members have been received into Lodge. This is in addition to the original twenty-eight charter members. At present in 1992 there are 229 enrolled members with 120 members residing within the Town of Easton, 79 members residing in the State of Massachusetts but outside of the town and thirty residing out of state. Further compilation of the membership reveals that as of this writing eighty five members are listed as Past Masters, seven affiliated Past Masters, four Honorary Past Masters, nine District Deputy Grand Masters and one Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Louis C. Southard.

This presentation is made in commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the founding of Paul Dean Lodge A.F. & A.M., North Easton, Massachusetts, March 22, 1992. It is the hope of this writer that this summary of events be spread upon the records of Paul Dean Lodge for examination by generations to come. In conclusion it must be stated that the strength of our institution is embodied in part in its longevity, Paul Dean Lodge being the oldest fraternal organization in existence in the Town of Easton, the town being founded in 1725.

Congratulations and God Speed.
Robert S. Sims
Librarian/Education
March 28, 1992