Difference between revisions of "Constellation"

Revision as of 00:40, 26 March 2013

CONSTELLATION LODGE

Location: Dedham

Chartered By: Samuel Dunn

Chartered By: Sereno D. Nickerson

Charter Date: 12/14/1801 II-189

Charter Date: 03/13/1872 1872-42

Precedence Date: 02/09/1871

Current Status: Merged with Eliot-Hyde Park Lodge to form Celestial Lodge, 03/17/2010.

NOTES

original charter vacated in 1842; petition to restore it apparently granted (V-165) but the lodge was again dark for a period between 1850 and 1870; a new charter was granted in 1872.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Charter: 1801
• Petition for Restoration of Charter: 1848
• Surrender of Charter: 1850 12/11/1850
• Petition for Dispensation: 1871
• Consolidation Petition (with Eliot-Hyde Park Lodge): 2009

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1897 (25th Anniversary)
• 1922 (50th Anniversary)
• 1946 (75th Anniversary)
• 1971 (Centenary)
• 1996 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1803 (Thomas; installation)
• 1872 (Nickerson; hall dedication and constitution of lodge; Special Communication)
• 1878 (Welch)
• 1889 (Endicott)
• 1897 (Hutchinson; 25th Anniversary)
• 1916 (M. Johnson)
• 1922 (Prince; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1927 (Simpson; Cornerstone laying; Special Communication)
• 1928 (Simpson; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1946 (Wragg; 75th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1959 (A. Jenkins; Mortgage burning; Special Communication)
• 1964 (Osgood; Rhode Island Night; Special Communication)
• 1971 (Jaynes; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1972 (Vose)
• 1996 (A. Johnson; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 2009 (Pageau; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1881 1890 1902 1905 1910 1912 1917 1920 1923 1927 1928 1932 1933 1937 1938 1939 1940 1949 1953 1957 1974 1975 1982 2001

HISTORY

• 1922 (50th Anniversary History, 1922-60)
• 1971 (Centenary History, 1971-232)
• 1996 (125th Anniversary History, 1996-219)

OTHER

• 1816 (Celebration of Feast of St. John the Baptist, III-38)
• 1844 (Committee report on the Lodge, IV-685)
• 1845 (Committee report on the Lodge, V-6)
• 1846 (Committee report on the Lodge, V-79)
• 1884 (Dispensation granted for Masonic burial, 1884-146)
• 1919 (Jurisdictional dispute, 1919-197)
• 1934 (Reduction in fees refused, 1934-335)
• 1935 (Reduction in fees granted, 1935-316)
• 1945 (Petition on jurisdiction, 1945-481)
• 1946 (Petition on jurisdiction, 1946-209, 1946-351)

EVENTS

ST. JOHN'S DAY, JUNE 1824

From New England Freemason, Vol. I, No. 10, October 1874, Page 483:

The New England Galaxy contained each week, under the head of "Masonic Calendar", a list of the Masonic meetings to be held during the following week throughout the State. To this was added from time to time the names of officers elected in some of the Bodies. In the June 4, 1824 issue appears the following advertisement:

MASONIC CELEBRATION.

"Constellation Lodge, of Dedham, have made arrangements for celebrating the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the 24th of June next. A Sermon will be delivered on the occasion by R. W. and Rev. Brother James Sabine, of Boston; and an Address by R. W. Brother Josiah J. Fisk, of Wrentham. The Brethren generally are respectfully invited to join with them in the intended celebration.

"Procession to form at precisely 10 o'clock A. M. Entertainment by Brother Francis Alden. Suitable accommodations for the ladies.

"Tickets for gentlemen $1, - for ladies, 75 cents.

"Dedham, May 23, A. L. 5824."
"John K. Briggs, Secretary."

MEMORIALS

JAMES DOWNING 1795-1874

From New England Freemason, Vol. II, No. 1, January 1875, Page 39:

• MM 1819, WM 1826, 1832, 1833, Constellation

Another of the fathers in Masonry has been called away from his earthly labors—one who, through the dark days of fanaticism and persecution, was "faithful found among the faithful few."

Worshipful Brother James Downing was born in Dracut, Massachusetts, October 20th, 1795, and his death occurred January 25th, 1875, at his residence in the Readville District of the town of Hyde Park. For nearly fifty years he was engaged in the cotton manufacturing business, and such was his capacity and integrity, that he became widely known and universally respected and honored.

He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, December 30, 1819, in Constellation Lodge, of Dedham. In December, 1825, he was elected its Right Worshipful Master, which position he also occupied in the years 1832 and 1833. The few aged survivors bear testimony to the ability and faithfulness with which he discharged the responsible duties of the office. He was interested in the formation of Hyde Park Lodge in 1866, and became one of its members. At the time of his death he was an honorary member of the new Constellation Lodge organized in Dedham in 1871. His kind and genial disposition, his well-ordered life and his constant practice of the greatest of the Masonic virtues, Charity, will impart a lasting fragrance to his memory. His funeral was held on the afternoon of January 28th, at the Congregational Church in Dedham, of which he was for many years a consistent member. Hyde Park and Constellation Lodges united in the services, and an appropriate memorial address was delivered by Worshipful Brother Sylvanus Cobb, Jr.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Frederic C. Cobb, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1911, 1912; Memorial
• George M. Ellis, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1941, 1942; N
• Frederick D. Ely, DDGM, District 13 (Dedham), 1877, 1878, 1879; Deputy Grand Master 1884, 1885
• Graham A. Long, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1989, 1990; Deputy Grand Master 2002
• Eric F. Meissner, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1965, 1966; N
• Eugene B. Nichols, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1999, 2000; Deputy Grand Master 2001
• Peter A. Randall, DDGM, District 6, 2005, 2006; Senior Grand Warden 2009
• J. Everett Smith, DDGM, District 22 (Hyde Park), 1898, 1899; SN
• E. Lester Swett, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1933, 1934; Memorial
• Theodore A. Ward, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1953, 1954; SN
• John W. Withington, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1925, 1926; Senior Grand Warden 1928

DISTRICTS

1803: District 1 (Boston)

1821: District 4

1835: District 4

1871: District 13 (Taunton)

1878: District 19 (Dedham)

1883: District 22 (Hyde Park)

1911: District 25 (Hyde Park)

1927: District 25 (Hyde Park)

2003: District 6

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges