Tyrian

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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.

NOTES

CORRESPONDENCE, OCTOBER 1859

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIX, No. 1, October 1859, Page 17:

We noticed last month the complaint of the Grand Lodge of California in relation to the initiation by Tyrian Lodge, at Gloucester, in this State, of a resident of the former State, contrary to the regulations of our own Grand Lodge, and of that comity which ought ever to mark the intercourse of Masonic bodies with each other. We have great satisfaction now inlaying before our readers the following explanation of the matter by the Master of Tyrian Lodge, and do not doubt that it will be favorably received by our Brethren in California:—

Gloucester, Oct. 14th, 1850.

Joseph S. Friend is a native of Gloucester, descended from a highly respectable family, and has always maintained an honorable reputation, which would entitle him to the honors of Masonry, whether conferred in this State or in any other State of the Union. He left Gloucester about seven years ago; since which time actual personal correspondence with those who have seen him and know him well, has been maintained. He has through his father, since he has been absent, paid taxes upon his real estate in Gloucester. To each and every member of Tyrian Lodge he was well known and respected. He returned from California to Gloucester last summer; he made his application at Tyrian Lodge as a resident of Gloucester, doubtless without knowledge on his part as to the regulations of the Craft. And with full knowledge as to the character and position of the man, violating perhaps the letter but not the spirit of the law, which, if I understand it, means, that a man should be made where he is best known,* Tyrian Lodge accepted his application and conferred the degrees of Masonry upon him. If this was an error it was done in good faith, because Tyrian Lodge knows too much of the kindness of the Lodges of California to doubt for one instant the fraternal feeling that exists among the brotherhood there.

We have to day in Gloucester what was once a poor forlorn and destitute orphan, who has been returned toils friends from California by the influence of Masonic charity. With this and other exhibitions of the true Masonic charity which has ever characterized the Lodges of California, it would be wrong in me for one moment to distrust the criticism of the Grand Lodge ot California, and I would therefore say, that Tyrian Lodge if it has committed an error in this respect is willing to tender to the Grand Lodge of California all fees received for the initiation, crafting, and raising, of J. S. Friend, and can cordially recommend him to the Craft, from actual and personal knowledge, as a man worthy of any honors which Masonry can confer upon him.

Yours, truly, Fitz J. Babson, W. M. of Tyrian Lodge.

CORRESPONDENCE, MARCH 1863

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXII, No. 7, May 1863, Page 215:

Gloucester, Mass., March 23, 1863.

Br. Moore — Brother De Vries was shipwrecked on the coast of West Australia, in the Summer of last year, and as a slight appreciation of our gratitude toward the Brethren of Lodge of St John, No. 712, of Perth, West Australia, the following Resolutions were forwarded, and answer received. By a vote of Tyrian Lodge I am requested to forward them to you for publication in your Magazine.

Yours, Fraternally, Francis Proctor, Sec.

We, the undersigned, a Committee appointed by Tyrian Lodge of A. F. and A. Masons, at a meeting held at Gloucester, State of Massachusetts, U. S. A., on Tuesday evening, Aug. 15th, 1862, for the purpose of expressing the grateful appreciation of this Lodge for the important services rendered by the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge of St. John, No. 712, West Australia, to our Brother Jacob De Vries, at the time of his shipwreck on a foreign shore, be it therefore

  • Resolved, That the thanks of this Lodge be, and are hereby tendered to the Master, Wardens and Brethren of the Lodge of St. John, No, 712, West Australia, for the charitable disposition and warm hearted benevolence bestowed on Brother Jacob De Vries, immediately after being shipwrecked (some months since) on the coast of Australia.
  • Resolved, That the excellent qualities which .adorn the Officers and Brethren of the Lodge of St. John, as men and as Masons, they sre endeared to us, and we shall ever hold them in grateful remembrance.
  • Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions, signed by the Master and Wardens, under the seal of this Lodge, be transmitted to the Officers and Brethren of the Lodge of St. John, No. 712, of West Australia.

Signed,
John S. Webber,
S. S. Day,
Joseph Dane
Committee.

The foregoing Resolutions, signed by A. J. Center, W. M., John Loyd, S. W, Joseph Dann, J. W., and signed under seal by Francis Proctor, Secretary of Tyrian Lodge, were duly forwarded to Lodge of St. John, Perth, W. Australia, and the following acknowledgment of them has been received:—

Perth, West Australia,
 24th Nov., A. L. 5862.

To the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren of Tyrian Lodge, Gloucester, State of Mass., United States of America—

W. Master and Brethren — I am directed by the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren of the Lodge of St. John, No. 712, to acknowledge the receipt of the Resolutions adopted by Tyrian Lodge on the 18th of August last, conveying the thanks of the Lodge for the assistance rendered to. Brother De Vries on the occasion of his being shipwrecked on our coast last year.

It Is with feelings of pleasure, that our Lodge and our Masonic Brethren in the Colony notice your appreciation of those services rendered to Bro. De Vries, and we thank you for the expressions of your remembrance of our assistance to oar Brother, conveyed in those Resolutions.

Although we deeply sympathized with the misfortunes of Bro. De Vries, we were but too happy in exemplifying the distinguishing characteristics of a Freemason's heart, "Charity to the poor and penniless," and it will ever be to us a source of grateful remembrance, that we, in a slight measure, contributed to the relief of a distressed Brother.

Your Resolutions hare been duly recorded on our books, and wishing your Lodge, and yourselves individually, every prosperity, believe me, Tours, Fraternally,

I F. Stone, Sec. of Lodge of St. John, No. 712.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION, OCTOBER 1865

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.

OFFICER LIST, OCTOBER 1865

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

PAST MASTERS

  • 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; SN
  • 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
  • Daniel Marsh, 1868
  • Isaac A.S. Steele, 1869-1871, 1881, 1890, 1891; Mem
  • Robert R. Fears, 1872, 1873
  • John Corliss, 1874, 1875
  • James Clark, 1876, 1877
  • Charles H. Boynton, 1878, 1879
  • Leonard J. Presson, 1882-1884
  • E. Archer Bradley, 1885, 1886
  • Herbert C. Taft, 1887-1889; Mem
  • David O. Frost, 1892
  • Joseph H. Rowe, 1893, 1894
  • William Emerson Parsons, 1895, 1896; Mem
  • William H. Rider, 1897, 1898
  • Charles H. M. Hazel, 1899, 1900
  • John J. Ropper, Jr., 1901, 1902
  • Aaron C. Lloyd, 1903, 1904
  • Almon B. Cook, 1905, 1906
  • Loren H. Nauss, 1907, 1908
  • Edgar S. Taft, 1909
  • Prescott A. Leavitt, 1910, 1911
  • Walter S. Tarr, 1912, 1913
  • Henry Wilson, 1914
  • Walter C. King, 1915
  • Edson H. Ricker, 1916
  • William J. MacInnis, 1917
  • George H. Bibber, 1918
  • George F. Merrill, 1919
  • Earl O. Phillips, 1920
  • Herman W. Spooner, 1921
  • Charles T. Smith, 1922
  • Addison G. Brooks, 1923
  • J. Hollis Griffin, 1924
  • Harold S. Maddocks, 1925, 1927; N
  • Harold C. Wolfe, 1928
  • Walter P. Day, 1929
  • Walter F. Lufkin, 1930
  • John A. Irwin, 1931
  • Everett A. Powers, 1932
  • John D. MacDonald, 1933
  • John W. Day, 1934
  • Weston U. Friend, 1935; N
  • Alfred G. Ireland, 1936
  • Raymond L. Hodgkins, 1937
  • Melvin S. Gaffney, 1938
  • Elliott Anderson, 1939
  • Frederick C. W. Handy, 1940
  • Earle G. T. Merchant, 1941
  • Horace D. Morton, 1942
  • Burt L. Town, 1943
  • Earl F. Tribou, 1944
  • M. Don Betts, 1945; SN
  • Robert H. Wilson, 1946
  • Norman H. Thurston, 1947
  • Robert F. Churchill, 1948
  • Gardner H. Smith, 1949
  • John M. Wilkins, 1950
  • Chester E. Gabry, 1951
  • Robert H. Coull, 1952
  • Robert B. Coull, Jr., 1953
  • Sumner G. Ropper, 1954; N
  • William J. Dean, Jr., 1955
  • Kenneth K. Landergren, 1956
  • George R. Herdman, 1957
  • Edward J. MacLeod, 1958
  • Victor J. Vicari, 1959
  • Stuart G. Lane, 1960
  • Clair E. Wetmore, 1961
  • Raynor G. Adams, 1962
  • Eugene A. Roberts, 1963
  • Everett A. Powers, Jr., 1964
  • Richard W. Davis, 1965
  • Wesley C. J. Schuster, 1966
  • Ralph W. Anderson, Jr., 1967
  • Leonard H. Oakes, 1968
  • Allyn F. Smith, 1969
  • George D. Allen, 1970
  • Robert A. Parker, Jr., 1971, 1982
  • Harold J. Josephson, 1972
  • Larry W. Sherman, 1973
  • William C. Brown, 1974
  • Brian C. Spinney, 1975
  • John W. T. Flannagan, 1976
  • Peter A. Kerr, 1977
  • Ronald J. Gerring, 1978, 1981; PDDGM
  • Robert E. McKechnie, 1979
  • C. Dean Currier, 1980
  • Stephen E. Linsky, 1983
  • H. Philip Sawyer, Jr., 1984
  • Donald E. Powers, Jr., 1985, 1986
  • Calogero J. Sanfilippo, 1987, 1993
  • Peter A. Todd, 1988
  • Myron S. Yorra, 1989
  • Daren M. Donovan, 1990
  • Robert A. Landoni, Jr., 1991
  • Marc R. Sanidas, 1992
  • William P. Grandmont, 1994
  • Robert A. Landoni, Jr., 1995
  • Stephen E. Linsky, 1996; PDDGM
  • Peter A. Todd, 1997, 1998
  • Michael A. Bierch, 1999
  • Arthur J. Sheehan, 2000
  • Walter T. Murphy, Jr., 2001
  • Tobias D. Benn, 2002
  • Bruce J. Landergren, 2003

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

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

DISTRICTS

1803: District 2 (Newburyport and North Shore)

1821: District 2

1835: District 2

1849: District 2

1867: District 5 (Salem)

1883: District 9 (Newburyport)

1911: District 9 (Gloucester)

1927: District 9 (Gloucester)

2003: District 10

LINKS

Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges
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