FriendlySociety

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FRIENDLY SOCIETY LODGE

Originally named Sylvan Lodge; name changed, 09/10/1810 (page II-440).

Location: Southwick; Southwick and Springfield, 1810

Chartered By: Timothy Bigelow

Charter Date: 06/08/1807 II-359

Precedence Date: 06/08/1807

Current Status: unknown; last recorded meeting 1828.

According to the 25th Anniversary History of Mount Orthodox Lodge on Page 1938-116, this Lodge surrendered its charter in 1838.


PAST MASTERS

  • Josiah Scoville Knowles, 1825

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Charter: 1807

HISTORY

FROM 25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF MOUNT ORTHODOX LODGE, MAY 1938

From Proceedings, Page 1938-116:

The second Lodge chartered in the county was Sylvan Lodge, of Southwick, in 1807. Three years later the Lodge was removed to West Springfield and changed to the name of Friendly Society Lodge. Grand Lodge records note that the permit to move stipulates that the Lodge should hold its meetings six months at West Springfield and Southwick alternately, but there is no record of any meetings held in Southwick after 1810. In West Springfield the Lodge met in rooms on the second floor of the old Belding Tavern near the corner of Park and Elm Streets which stood north of the present town library building and opposite the water trough at the lower end of Elm Street. After its removal to West Springfield the Lodge grew in membership, but several members withdrew in 1817 to form Hampden Lodge, of Springfield, and from that time the Lodge lost ground. Very few members were admitted after 1817 and when the anti-Masonic sentiment became pronounced in 1838, the few members who had labored for the life of the Lodge were forced to give up the struggle and the charter was surrendered.

FROM 50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF MOUNT ORTHODOX LODGE, APRIL 1963

From Proceedings, Page 1963-82:

The second charter in the County was given to Sylvan Lodge, of Southwick, in 1807. Three years later the Lodge was removed to West Springfield and changed to the name of Friendly Society Lodge., the Lodge grew in membership. Several members withdrew in 1817 to form Hampden Lodge, of Springfield. Very few members were admitted after 1817, and in 1838 they surrendered their charter.

FROM 75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF MOUNT ORTHODOX LODGE, APRIL 1989

From Proceedings, Page 1989-42:

The same text appears as in the 1938 history.

OTHER

  • 1810 (Petition granted for name change)
  • 1829 (Report on delinquency)

ø Charter surrendered 06/11/1834


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1807: District 7 (North Central Massachusetts)

1821: District 10


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges