Difference between revisions of "LebanonMedfield"

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LEBANON LODGE

Location: Medfield

Current Status: Presented to Grand Master Howland 1885; declined 06/29/1885.

A NEW LODGE IN MEDFIELD

In 1823, Cassia Lodge was chartered in Medfield by Grand Master John Dixwell. This lodge never prospered and was sundered by the anti-Masonic storm that hit Massachusetts within a decade of its institution; when lodges were re-established in Franklin, Milford, Medway and other surrounding towns, Medfield was left without a lodge.

In 1885 a group of local Masons from various lodges petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation for a lodge in Medfield; the document bears twenty-two signatures of Masons in good standing, as well as the endorsement of the closest lodge (Orient Lodge of Norwood, dated 23 February 1885) and the endorsement of the District Deputy Grand Master, Rt. Wor. John H. Swain of the 22nd Masonic District.

On 29 June 1885, Grand Master Abraham H. Howland, Jr. sent a response to Brother J. H. Gould, the first signatory on the petition, which read in part: "Since receiving your petition I have endeavored to possess myself of such information and facts concerning the establishment of a Lodge as prayed for, as might assist me in arriving at a decision protective to the Lodges already chartered. . . I have communicated with a number of brethren representing the surrounding districts and Lodges, and a spirit of friendliness toward you . . . has characterized their replies. . .

"In consultation with yourself and others I failed to find that unanimity of opinion - cornerstones of purpose and assured personal devoition - that should exist among brethren seeking the establishment, maintenance and continuance of a Lodge home. All the brethren seemingly agreed that a Lodge could be maintained in Medfield, yet no brother assured me of his determination to especially devote his time, influence and ability to the support of the organization. . . Now, though my desire is to promote the truest interests of the fraternity at all times, and contribute to the greatest good, convenience and pleasure of the Brethren, in the case of yourself and others I do not find sufficient assurance to confirm my actions in granting your prayer and therefore respectfully decline to authorize the issuing of the dispensation."

PETITIONERS

• JOSEPH SYLVANUS ADAMS, 1838-1919
  • MM 1865, Meridian, Natick

• A. H. CHAMBERLAIN
  • Member of Social Lodge, Enfield, NH

• MOSES F. CLARK
  • Member of St. John's #4, Hartford, CT

• GEORGE B. FISHER 1841-1890
  • Merchant in East Medway
  • MM 1875, Charles River

• L. W. GILMAN
  • could not find card
  • Member of Siloam, Westboro

• JOHN H. GOULD 1830-1915
  • MM 1866, Henry Price
  • Demitted from Hermon #32, Gardiner, ME 1883
  • Member of Orient, Norwood; suspended 1895

• G(EORGE) W(ASHINGTON) HANKS 1841-?
  • Mechanic in Medway
  • MM 1875, Charles River

• HENRY EDWARD HOSMER 1842-1919
  • Mechanic in Medway
  • MM 1875, Charles River

• E. H. LANDU
  • could not find card; listed as 'demit'

• J. E. LONERGAN 1851-1916
  • Driver in Medfield
  • MM 1884, Orient

• THEODORE B. MARSH 1841-1911
  • Railroad station agent, Medfield
  • MM 1883, Orient

• LANSING MILLIS
  • Member of Jerusalem, Lansingburgh, NY

• E(DWIN). V. MITCHELL 1849-1917
  • Clerk in Framingham
  • MM 1871, Middlesex
  • Joined Meridian 1886

• E(LHANON) W. MORRILL 1844-?
  • Straw bleacher in Medfield
  • MM 1876, Meridian; discharged 1891

• JOSEPH W. PAGE ?-?
  • could not find card
  • Member of Meridian, Natick

• ROSWELL K. PARKER 1850-1915
  • MM 1881, Anchor, Wales
  • Member of Meridian, 1896; discharged 1906

• JOSEPH M. PARTER ?-?
  • Member of Shifford #52, Shifford P. Q.

• JOHN W. TUTTLE 1842-?
  • MM 1860, Ancient York, Lowell; demitted 1867

• J(AMES). J(OHNSON) TWISS 1820-1890
  • MM ? Member 1855, WM 1856-1857, Hampden, Springfield
  • Member of Ancient York, 1860
  • Biography from Universalist Register, 1890 edition:
    • "James Johnson Twiss, born Oct. 12, 1820, died at Whitman, Mass., July 14, 1890. He was ordained at Danvers, Mass., Jan. 25, 1840, and had settlements at North Granby, Winstead, Stamford, Stafford, Conn.; Springfield, New Bedford, Lowell, Mass.; Norwich, Conn.; and Auburn, N. Y. In 1875 he took charge of the Unitarian Church at Chelmsford, Mass., and during the remainder of his life preached in the fellowship of that denomination. He was a man of fine attainments, pleasing address and excellent Christian character."

• AUGUSTUS LYMAN WARE
  • could not find card
  • Member of Meridian, Natick

• MARCELLUS AUSTIN WARE
  • could not find card
  • Member of Meridian, Natick

• JOHN M. WILLIAMS 1834-1914?
  • Carpenter in Milton
• MM 1868, Hyde Park; demitted 1887

LINKS

Grand Master Howland

Massachusetts Lodges