LebanonMedfield
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, Meridian, Natick
- A. H. CHAMBERLAIN, Social Lodge, Enfield, NH
- MOSES F. CLARK, St. John's, Hartford, CT
- GEORGE B. FISHER, Charles River, Medway
- L. W. GILMAN, Siloam, Westboro
- JOHN H. GOULD, Orient, Norwood
- G. M. HANKS, Charles River, Medway
- HENRY EDWARD HOSMER, Charles River, Medway
- E. H. LANDU, demit
- J. E. LONERGAN, Orient, Norwood
- THEODORE B. MARSH, Orient, Norwood
- LANSING MILLIS, Jerusalem, Lansingburgh, NY
- E. V. MITCHELL, Middlesex, Framingham
- E. W. MORRILL, Meridian, Natick
- JOSEPH W. PAGE, Meridian, Natick
- ROSWELL H. PARKER, Anchor, Wales
- JOSEPH M. PARTER, Shifford #52, Shifford P. Q.
- JOHN W. TUTTLE, formerly of Ancient York, Lowell
- J. J. TWISS, formerly of Hampden
- AUGUSTUS LYMAN WARE, Meridian, Natick
- MARCELLUS AUSTIN WARE, Meridian, Natick
- JOHN M. WILLIAMS, Hyde Park, Hyde Park
