Difference between revisions of "Republican"

Revision as of 16:28, 27 December 2013

REPUBLICAN LODGE

Location: Greenfield; Gill (1821); Greenfield (1851)

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 01/09/1795 II-60

Precedence Date: 12/08/1794

Current Status: Active

NOTES

According to the 150th Anniversary history (Page 1945-370), the charter was surrendered in 1833.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Charter: 1794
• Petition for Restoration of Charter: 1851

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1895 (Centenary)
• 1945 (150th Anniversary)
• 1970 (175th Anniversary)
• 1995 (200th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1856 (Lewis; Hall dedication, Special Communication; see below)
• 1873 (Nickerson; Hall dedication, Special Communication; see below)
• 1881 (Lawrence)
• 1895 (Holmes; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1898 (Hutchinson; Hall Dedication; Special Communication)
• 1908 (Blake)
• 1910 (Flanders)
• 1916 (L. Abbott)
• 1917 (L. Abbott)
• 1922 (Prince)
• 1928 (Simpson)
• 1931 (H. Dean)
• 1945 (Deputy Grand Master Stanley Wilson); 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1946 (Wragg)
• 1969 (Jaynes)
• 1970 (Jaynes; 175th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1975 (Maxwell)
• 1995 (Lovering; 2 visits, including 200th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1997 (A. Johnson; Cornerstone laying and building dedication; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1870 1871 1873 1877 1879 1881 1882 1889 1907 1910 1914 1916 1920 1923 1928 1951 1957 1963 1975 1977 1982 1983 1986 1999 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010

HISTORY

• 1895 (Centenary historical address not in Proceedings)
• 1945 (150th Anniversary History, 1945-361)
• 1970 (175th Anniversary History, 1970-4)
• 1995 (200th Anniversary History, 1995-3)

OTHER

• 1816 (Petition to Grand Lodge for a loan, declined, III-316)
• 1821 (Report on delinquency, III-341)
• 1876 (Presentation at Grand Lodge, 1876-138)
• 1878 (Jurisdictional dispute, 1878-83)
• 1879 (Jurisdictional dispute, 1879-9)
• 1896 (Anniversary celebration, mentioned in Grand Master's Address, 1896-270)
• 1909 (Petition for restoration of original charter, 1909-67)

EVENTS

HALL DEDICATION, FEBRUARY 1856

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XV, No. 7, March 1856, Page 141:

This is one of the most respectable and thriving Lodges in the Commonwealth. It received its Charter in 1795, three years after the union of the two Grand Lodges in Boston, and the consequent organization of the present supreme body, It continued in active operation, always numbering among its initiates and members, many of the best and most influential citizens of the beautiful village in which it is located, until the breaking out of the antimasonic persecution; when, for the sake of peace, and in the mistaken hope of contributing to allay the excitement, which was then raging with mad violence throughout the valley of the Connecticut river, it closed its doors and surrendered its Charter.

A few years since, the requisite number of its surviving members asked to have its charter restored, — a request which was readily granted by the Grand Lodge. The Lodge forthwith recommenced its labors, and now numbers on its roll nearly one hundred members! It has recently leased large and commodious apartments in the centre of the town, and filled up a spacious hall for its accommodation, in a style of neatness and elegance not probably surpassed, if equalled by any similar hall in the Commonwealth, out of the city of Boston. The fresco embellishments were executed by Mr. John Sawin, Jr., of Greenfield, an artist of much merit in his line of business. (Note: Mr. Sawin recently executed the fresco work of the Baptist Church in Charles Street, in this city, which is said to be a superior piece of workmanship; and also of the church at Newton Centre. Lodges fitting up new halls, might find it to their advantage to consult him).

A brief description of the embellishments has been furnished us. A cornice twelve inches deep is painted round the walls; above which are twenty-four panels of different sizes and shapes, alternating each other. Within these is a second cornice eight inches deep, leaving an open space of twelve by twenty feet, which is filled with sky, representing morning in the East; noon, in the centre, and night, in the West, — the whole so nicely blended and admirably executed as to produce a chaste and beautiful effect, especially when the hall is lighted. The spaces on the walls are divided into thirty five square-edged panels, sunk, apparently, two inches; within sixteen of these, are pointed as many circular-top panels, in fine elaborate moulding, throwing back the panels three and a half inches, — leaving ample room, in ten of these spaces, for the emblems of the Order. The walls and ceiling, in their architectural parts, are executed in a rich warm lint of French grey, inclining to a buff.

On Friday, the 8th February, the Grand Master, accompanied by several of the Grand Officers, proceeded to Greenfield, at the invitation of the Lodge, for the purpose of dedicating the hall, "according to the ancient custom and usages of the Craft. The ceremonies were performed in the presence of about two hundred ladies and gentlemen, to most of whom they were new, and to all of whom they were apparently gratifying. At the conclusion of these services, the Brethren of the Lodge and the visitors present, were briefly addressed by the M. W. Grand Master, in terms suitably adapted to the occasion.

The officers were then installed by the R. W. Brother J. T. Heard,acting on the occasion as D. G. Master. After which an address was delivered by the Rev. Brother William Flint, of Greenfield. This we are most happy to learn is to be printed. It occupied about forty minutes in the delivery, and was an able, eloquent and truthful exposition of the principles, doctrines, and purposes of Freemasonry. It was eminently worthy of the acknowledged talents of its estimable author, and its publication at this time is called for by the highest and best interests of the Institution. False notions are creeping in among us, which, if permitted to obtain, will jeopard the prosperity of the Order in this country. They can be best met and averted by circulating among the Lodges and Brethren more truthful expositions of the genuine principles of the Order.

The ceremonies having been completed, the company were invited to partake of an entertainment served up in the adjacent rooms. The occasion was an agreeable one, and we trust may contribute to the continued prosperity of the Lodge.

• Excerpts from the William Flint address

• Grand Master's Address

OFFICER LIST, MAY 1856

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XV, No. 7, May 1856, Page 209:

Officers of Republican Lodge, Greenfield, Mass.

• E. P. Graves, W. M. SN
• N. E. Babbett, S. W.
• Geo. Ripley, J. W.
• C. L. Fisk, Treas.
• S. H. Reed, Sec.
• D. Lyon, S. D.
• A. Mitchell, J. D.
• Rev. William Flint, Chap.
• D. Hunter, S. S.
• J. Rowley, Jr., J. S.
• T. Ripley, M.

OFFICER LIST, NOVEMBER 1861

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXI, No. 3, November 1861, Page 96:

Officers of Republican Lodge, Greenfield, Mass.

• David Lyon, M.
• Geo. A. Kimball, S. W.
• Kev. S. K. Jones, J. W.
• Henry C. Willard, S. D.
• E. J. Rice, J. D.
• L. L. Lucey, Treas.
• E. P. Graves, Sec'y.

OFFICER LIST, JANUARY 1864

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIII, No. 3, January 1864, Page 96:

Officers of Republican Lodge, Greenfield.

• David Lyon, W. M.
• John W. Moore, S. W.
• Anson Mitchell, J. W.
• L. L. Lucy, Treas.
• E. P. Graves, Sec.
• James R. Long, S. D.
• E. Rugg, J. D.
• B. S. Parker and R. W. Long, Stewards.
• E. J. Rice, Tyler.

HALL DEDICATION, FEBRUARY 1873

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXXII, No. 3, March 1873, Page 79:

The new Masonic Hall, with its apartments, at Greenfield, Mass, was solemnly dedicated according to the ancient usages of Masonry, by the M. W. Grand Lodge on the evening of the 18th ult. The officers of the Grand Lodge present and assisting on the occasion were:

• M. W. Sereno D. Nickerson, Grand Master.
• R. W. Percival L. Everett, D. G. M.
• R. W. Henry Endicott, S. G. W.
• R. W. Wm. Parkman, J. G. W. pro tem.
• R. W. John McClellan, G. Treas.
• R. W. Ithamar W. Conkey, R. G. Sec. pro tem.
• R. W. Chas. W. Moore, Cor. G. Sec.
• R. W. and Rev. Chas. H. Titus, G. Chap. pro tem.
• W. Wm. H. Chessman, G. Mar.
• W. Edw. J. Sawyer, Sen. D. pro tem.
• W. Wm. J. Sawin, Jun. D. pro tem.
• Bro. George S. Taylor, S. S.
• Bro. James E. Hosley, J. S.
• Bro. Fred. A. Pierce, Tyler.

The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form at about 8 o'clock, and immediately proceeded with the dedication of the halls according to the forms of the Ritual in such cases provided. The ceremonies were interspersed with appropriate music, and great credit was awarded to the excellent choir for the effective manner in which the singing was rendered.

The large hall was early filled to excess by the brethren and their ladies, and invited guests, and we take occasion to say here that we have rarely on any similar occasion, seen a more brilliant assemblage, or a more attentive and respectful audience.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies of dedication, and the proclamation by the Grand Marshal, the W. Master, Bro. Bowdoin S. Parker, read an excellent and interesting paper on the history of the Lodge from its first organization in 1795, to the present time, tracing in detail, the vicissitudes through which it had passed during the long period since its beginning. Its earlier years were attended with a reasonable success, but it was subsequently called to encounter adverse circumstances, and was finally removed to the neighboring town of Lee, in the hope that it might there meet with better fortunes. This hope, however, was not realized, and about the year 1821 the brethren surrendered their charter to the Grand Lodge, and the Lodge ceased to hold its meetings. It continued in this condition for the long term of twenty years, including the entire anti-masonic period. In 1841 the brethren at Greenfield petitioned the Grand Lodge for a restoration of its charter, and the Lodge was again organized and re-established in their pleasant village. From that time it has continued to prosper, and now numbers on the roll of its membership the names of one hundred and seventy-five active, intelligent and zealous brethren, who have not only been able to furnish themselves with new, ample, and convenient apartments for their Lodge, but have added to it a flourishing Royal Arch Chapter, Council of Royal and Select Masters, and a well disciplined and equipped Commandery of Knights Templars. Few Lodges in the State have done better than this.

At the conclusion of the reading of the interesting narrative by the Master, the company present were ably addressed by the M. W. Grand Master, and R. W. Bros. Coolidge, Parkman and Titus, when, after the singing of an ode by the choir, the Grand Lodge retired. A ball was next in order, and the brethren and their ladies repaired at once to the large hall in the building designed for such purposes, and there enjoyed themselves for a couple of hours, when they were escorted to the dining-room for supper, after which dancing was renewed and continued for an hour or two longer. The occasion throughout was a delightful one, and we believe everybody present was delighted with it. We give the officers of the Lodge as follows:

• W. Bowdoin S. Parker, M.
• Bro. Chas. H. McClellan, S. W.
• Bro. C. Mason Moody, J. W.
• Bro. Clarence F. Foster, Treasurer.
• Bro. Wilbur F. Harding, Sec.
• Bro. Gorham D. Williams, S. D.
• Bro. Francis J. Hosmer, J. D.
• Bro. Rev. John F. Moors, Chap.
• Bro. Anson Withey, Marshal.
• Bro. Frank R. Chapman, S. S.
• Bro. Alfred C. Gascoigne, J. S.
• Bro. J. Solon Clark, I. S.
• Bro. R S. Prichard, Tyler.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Elijah Alvord, DDGM, District 7 (North Central Massachusetts), 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816; SN
• Wendell T. Davis, Senior Grand Warden 1865
• William Flint, Deputy Grand Master 1859
• Douglas C. Finn, DDGM, District 26, 2014
• John A. Gamber, DDGM, District 10, 1854; SN
• E. P. Graves, DDGM, District 10, 1862-1864; SN
• G. Harry Kaulback, DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1915, 1916; SN
• Lawrence G. Kent, DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1998, 1999
• Charles H. McClellan, DDGM, District 8 (Greenfield), 1881, 1882; Senior Grand Warden 1885
• Charles Mattoon, DDGM, District 10, 1855-1856; SN
• Bowdoin S. Parker, DDGM, District 8 (Greenfield), 1874, 1875; Memorial
• Ansel Phelps, DDGM, District 7, 1830, 1831, 1832; SN
• Frank H. Reed, Jr., DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1940, 1941; N
• Monroe E. Smith, DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1968, 1969; N
• Franklin E. Snow, DDGM, District 13 (Greenfield), 1895, 1896; Junior Grand Warden 1906
• Edward F. Stange, DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1990, 1991; SN
• Titus Strong, DDGM, District 7 (North Central Massachusetts), 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820; Grand Chaplain
• Solomon Vose, DDGM, District 7 (North Central Massachusetts), 1803, 1804, 1805; SN
• Norman W. Whitcomb, Jr., DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1984, 1985; SN
• George R. Wilcox, DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1954, 1955; SN
• Frank A. Yeaw, DDGM, District 14 (Greenfield), 1929, 1930; SN

DISTRICTS

1803: District 7 (North Central Massachusetts)

1821: District 7

1851: District 9

1854: District 10

1867: District 8 (Greenfield)

1883: District 13 (Greenfield)

1911: District 14 (Greenfield)

1927: District 14 (Greenfield)

2003: District 26

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges