Tyrian

THE TYRIAN LODGE

Location: Gloucester

Chartered By: Joseph Warren

Charter Date: 03/02/1770 I-228

Precedence Date: 03/02/1770

Current Status: merged with Acacia Lodge to form The Tyrian-Acacia Lodge, 10/23/2003.

PAST MASTERS

list incomplete

Barnett Harkin, 1770, 1771, 1776-1778, 1783-1786
Epes Sargent, Jr., 1772-1774, 1779-1781
Nathaniel Warner, 1775, 1787, 1795-1798
Thomas Saunders, 1789-95
Fitz W. Sargent, 1799-1801
John Beach, 1802
John Tucker, 1804-1807, 1809, 1810
William Pearce, 1808
Zenas Cushing, 1811, 1812
Elias Davison, 1813-1816
Samuel Pearce, 1817-1820
William Ferson, 1825-1828, 1843, 1844
Rufus Leighton, 1829-1834
DARK 1834-1843
Thomas Ireland, 1845, 1846
John S. Johnson, 1847-1850
Daniel T. Babson, 1851, 1854
John Ayers, Jr., 1852, 1853
Fits J. Babson, 1855-1858
David Allen, Jr., 1859, 1860
A. J. Center, 1861, 1862
John Lloyd, 1863-1865
William Babson, 1866, 1867, 1880, 1881
Addison G. Brooks, 1923

YEARS

1770 1771 1772 1773 1774 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1795 1797 1804 1814 1819 1820 1821 1834 1835

charter vacated 1834; restored 1843 In the Pringle History in 1920 Proceedings, the Lodge was reported as returning the Charter to Grand Lodge "for safekeeping" on February 13, 1834.

1843 1844 1865 1881 1884 1886 1891 1892 1895 1901 1907 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1916 1918 1919 1920 1921 1926 1927 1930 1935 1942 1945 1956 1957 1959 1960 1970 1975 1976 1980 1982 1985 1986 1988 1989 1991 1992 1996 2003

NOTES

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIV, No. 12, October, 1865, p. 366:

Tyrian Lodge, of Gloucester, is one of the oldest Lodges of Freemasons in the county, having been instituted, May 9th, 1770. Its Charter bears the signature of General Joseph Warren, of Bunker Hill fame, then Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Continent of America, and was granted to the following petitioners:—Philip Marnett, Andrew F. Phillips, Andrew Giddings, David Parker, John Fletcher, George Brown, Barnett Harkin, Epes Sargent, Jr. The first meeting of this Lodge was held at the dwelling house of the Widow Sargent, when its organization was perfected. The first list of officers was as follows : —

Barnett Harkin, W. M.
George Brown, S. W.
John Fletcher, J. W.
Eben Parsons, Treas.
Epes Sargent, Jr., Secy.

List of Masters; added to section below

During the earlier years of the Lodge its meetings were held at private dwelling houses. Thus, it met at the house of James Prentice from 1770 to 79; house of Andrew Sargent, 1779—81; house of David Plummer, 1781—4; house of Philemon Haskell, 1784—90; house of Nath'l Sargent, 1790—4. In 1794 and 1795, it held its meetings at the Proprietors' School House, (still standing on School street, and occupied as a tenement house,) for which it paid a rental of £3 12s per annum; from 1795 to 1800 it met again at the house of Nathaniel Sargent, and from 1800 to 1805 at the hall of Jonathan Low. In 1805 and 1806 the meetings were again held in Proprietors' School House, and from 1806 to 1834 in Roger's Hall, occupying the present site of James' stable. In 1834, during the great Morgan excitement, the meetings were discontinued, and by vote of the Lodge the Charter was surrendered, but in 1843 it was restored to the Lodge, together with its Records and other property. Its meetings in 1843 and 1844, were held at the Engine house on Church street, afterwards at the Orthodox vestry, again at the Proprietors' School House, and then at Franklin Hall on Front street. From here it moved to Stacy's (since Odd Fellows') Hall, where the meetings were held until it moved into the handsome hall fitted up in Burnham's Building, which was burned in the great fire of 1864. It then met at Odd Fellows' Hall again until the completion of its present elegant hall. The Lodge has numbered among its members many of the prominent men of the town, aud is still a flourishing organization. Since its institution over four hundred persons have been made Masons, or raised, most of whom have been members of the Lodge, and thirty-six persons made members in other Lodges have been admitted to membership. As we have before intimated the influence of the war has been to increase the number of Masons, and this Lodge has apprenticed and raised sixty-six persons since the first of January, 1861.

Tyrian Lodge now numbers one hundred and twenty members. The following is a list of its present officers:—

John Lloyd, W. M.
Henry Center, S. W.
Cyrus Story, J. W.
S. S. Day, Treas.
Robert R. Fears, Secy.
George B. Honnors, S. D.
E. L. Rowe, J. D.
John P. Honnors, Tyler.

—Gloucester Telegraph

MEMORIALS

JOHN WEBBER 1782-1855

MM 1815, Cumberland #12, New Gloucester, Maine
Affiliated with The Tyrian Lodge 1847

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVIII, No. 4, February 1859, Page 126:

Died in Gloucester, Mass., December 16th, 1855, Gen. John Webber, 73 years, 1 month, 6 days. The death of this gentleman will create a sad void in oar community. Always pleasant and social, he was universally respected and esteemed; and having had a great deal of experience, he was looked up to by many for counsel and advice, which he was always ready and willing to give. General Webber was for many years in the employ of the State, on its possessions in Maine, ud has held several commissions from the executive department. Since his return from Maine, he has held an appointment in our custom house a portion of the time, tad has repeatedly been elected to offices of trust by his fellow citizens.— Gloucester Telegraph.

At a special meeting of Tyrian Lodge of A. F. and A. Masons, held at Masonic Hail, Gloucester, Sunday afternoon, December 19, A. L. 5858, W. Master, Fitz I. Babson, briefly announced in a very feeling manner the decease of Brother John Webber, a member of this Lodge, and that he had convened the Lodge for the purpose of paying the last sad tribute of respect to his remains.

A procession was then formed under the direction of Bro. A. I. Center, Marshal, ud proceeded to the late residence of the deceased, where the funeral services were conducted by Rev. Brother Mellen. After the funeral services were concluded, the Lodge assumed the charge of the remains, and proceeded, to the beautiful lot in Oak Grove Cemetery, which the deceased reserved for the mournful purpose to which it has just been devoted.

The solemn and impressive ceremony at the grave of our departed Brother was performed by the W. Master — assisted by Rev. Bro. Mellen, who spoke thus:— "I have been requested to say a few words here concerning the character of our departed friend and Brother. What I have to say will necessarily be brief. The form which lies sleeping there is more eloquent than any words I can utter — than any which oan be uttered by human lips. The lessons it suggests, so numerous and impressive, could they be fitly interpreted, would send us to our homes wiser and better, — would that the organ of their interpretation were fitter.

"He being dead, yet speaketh. He speaks to us in behalf of honesty — of impartial justice and unwavering integrity. Truly can it be said of him, I think, that never consciously, did he take undue advantage of any one, and that here, as his body is about to be consigned to earth, might all with Whom he has ever had intercourse, be challenged to say, that they had ever been wronged by him to the vales of a farthing. And if 'an honest man is the noblest work of God,' surely it is well for us to treasure the memory, and imitate the example of him, whose lifeless form is before us.

"He speaks to us in behalf of kindness. This, I think, was a predominant element in his character, manifesting itself through various channels - Many are the poor who have had reason to bless him, and who have lost in him a friend. Many ate they, who straggling through some crisis in their career, have found his hands outstretched to aid them. Many are the poor widows whose little estates he has settled, and who, in their darkest experiences, have been helped by his counsel and efforts. In his own family, however, this trait was conspicuous. In his home, with his beloved ones around him, did he delight to be - To part with them, is the great agony of death. Never, therefore, if I may without indelicacy repeat a remark of his venerable companion, during all the long years of our married life, has be ever uttered an unkind word.' Surely be, of whom this can be said, has not lived in vain, and is not unworthy of this poor tribute to his memory. " He speaks to us also, Brethren of this Fraternity, in behalf of its interests. This institution of Masonry was very near his heart. As you well know, he connected himself with it in early life, and he preserved his membership while he lived. When its fortunes were obscured and party rancor assailed it, he did not desert it. When its prospects brightened, and its merits were allowed, few rejoiced more sincerely than did he. When the shadows of death were creeping over him he desired that these solemn rites should be observed; and when I bade him farewell, though he could not speak, he gave me the fraternal 'grip.' And not only did he love Masonry, and honor its unwavering adherence, but by what is far better, a true Masonic character. His conduct Was ever measured by the square, and his face was ever tamed toward the East, desirous of new light. Brethren, shall his example he lost upon us?

"But finally he speaks to as in behalf of Christian principle. Not that he was ever a noisy professor of any creed, or a scrupulous devotee of any forms. Possibly be underated both a Christian profession and Christian ordinances as helpful to a high Christian excellence. But he did seek to cherish and to practice the sum of alt religions reverence toward God, and love to man. He did endeavor to 'do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God,' to 'visit the widows and fatherless in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.' And surely this is better than all the sacrifices and burnt offerings ever rendered. For this devotion to essential principles is he not to be commended?

'"Such are some of the lessons which this cold and silent clay should teach as. Let as open our hearts to them: for while We thus honor him, we honor ourselves also. And should he, invisible to mortal eye, hover near, Will he accept these brief words and ceremonies as an assurance of the place he occupies ia our hearts, and of our desire to keep his virtues fresh in our remembrance.

"And now dust to dast, and ashes to ashes. 'Let them mingle, for they must.' But the spirit we commit to the good care and love of God, not doubting, but that as yonder son, wading all day through clouds, has now burst forth in undimmed effulgence, so that casting off all earthly obscurations, has already shone forth in its native splendor in a clearer and serener sphere."

The procession than returned to the Lodge-room, where the following preamble and resolutions wars unanimously adopted ;— �* Whereas, it having pleased Almighty God to call our worthy and venerable Brother, John Webber, from this earthly Lodge to the celestial Lodge above. And

Whareas, Tyrian Lodge having again been called to part with another of its members — one who for a long series of years has been a firm supporter of the principles of Masonry; a firm friend and Brother; an honest man, and one who was ever ready to bestow the hand of charity to the suffering and needy. Therefore
Resolved, That the members of this Lodge deeply sympathize with the widow and family of our late worthy Brother, and also the brothers and sister of the deceased.
Resolved, That as a token of respect to his memory, the furniture and jewels of this Lodge be clothed in habilaments of mourning for the space of thirty days.
Resolved, That the page in the Record Book, preceding that on which these proceedings shall be recorded, contain only the name, age, and time of the decease of our late Brother.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the family of our late Brother, also a copy to Cumberland Lodge, New Gloucester, Maine, of which the deceased was formerly a member.

Reference and short biography of General Webber as a census-taker in the Maritimes.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

William Babson, Senior Grand Warden 1882
M. Don Betts, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 1962, 1963; SN
Addison G. Brooks, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 1926; District 9 (Gloucester), 1927; Senior Grand Warden 1933
William Ferson, DDGM, District 2, 1850-1851; Senior Grand Warden 1852
Weston U. Friend, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 1950, 1951; N
Ronald J. Gerring, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 1986, 1987
John S. Johnson, DDGM, District 2, 1853-1856; SN
Stephen E. Linsky, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 2002; District 10, 2003
Harold S. Maddocks, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 1938, 1939; N
William Emerson Parsons, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 1916, 1917; Memorial
William H. Rider, DDGM, District 9 (Newburyport), 1903, 1904; Grand Chaplain 1902-1909; Deputy Grand Master 1910
Sumner G. Ropper, DDGM, District 9 (Gloucester), 1974, 1975; N
Isaac A.S. Steele, DDGM, District 9 (Newburyport), 1895; Memorial
Herbert C. Taft, DDGM, District 9 (Newburyport), 1890, 1891; Memorial