GMHutchinson
Contents
CHARLES C. HUTCHINSON 1832-1915
Grand Master, 1897-1899
TERM
NOTES
MEMORIAL
From Proceedings, Page 1915-89:
It is my sad duty officially to announce the decease of our Past Grand Master, M.W. Charles Carroll Hutchinson, of Lowell, who died in that city, April 29, 1915.
He endeared himself to us by his constant good nature: his cordial greeting, and his rising, seemingly without effort, to the demands of every occasion where he was called upon to act. He was a faithful servant of this Grand Lodge, a courteous and thoughtful Brother, and a Grand Master whose administration was marked with progress, ability, and success. It was under his Grand Mastership that this Temple was erected. I acted as an Honorary Pall Bearer at his funeral with M.W. Brothers Charles T. Gallagher, Edwin B. Holmes, R.W. Brother Arthur G. Pollard, and others. The funeral was attended by a large number of the Fraternity of Loweli and elsewhere. The following other officers and permanent members of the Grand Lodge were noted; viz.:
- Daniel W. Lawrence, Past Senior Grand Warden.
- William H.H. Soule, Past Junior Grand Warden.
- Solon W. Stevens, Past Senior Grand Warden.
- George H. Rhodes, Past Junior Grand Warden.
- Charles S. Proctor, Past Junior Grand Warden.
- Robert G. Wilson, Senior Grand Deacon.
- Benjamin W. Clements, D.D.G. Maser District No. 12.
From Proceedings, Page 1915-114:
Charles Carroll Hutchinson, son of Samuel King Hutchinson and Susan Warren Hutchinson, was born in Andover, Massachusetts, June 9, 1832, and died in Lowell April 29, 1915, at the age of 82 years 10 months and 20 days. He was educated in the LoweII public schools and at Ireland Academy, West Springfield, now Holyoke.
His vocation since the days of youth was substantially as follows: Clerk in the Railroad Bank, Lowell, 1853-1858, Cashier of Bank at Brighton, 1858-1864, Clerk in Central National Bank, New York, 1864-1871, Treasurer of the Mechanics Savings Bank, Lowell, 1871, resigned as Treasurer July 22, 1973, and was elected Vice-President. He was the first Treasurer of the Brighton Savings Bank, 1861-1864. He was a communicant of St. Anne's Church in LoweII, Trustee of the Old Ladies' Home, 1901-1910, a member of the Common Council of Lowell, 1880, President of the Council in 1881, Commissioner of the Sinking Fund, 1885-1887, President of the Traders & Mechanics Insurance Company in 1901, and also at the time of his decease, and Director of the Lowell Gas Light Company 1902.
His Masonic Record is as follows:
Received the Entered Apprentice in Ancient York Lodge October 11, 1854, Fellow Craft, November 8, 1854, Master Mason December 6, 1854, Senior Deacon in Ancient York Lodge 1855-1856, Senior Warden 1857, Worshipful Master 1858. He was a Director in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 1892-1909, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge 1896-1899.
He received the Royal Arch Degree in Mt. Horeb R'oyal Arch Chapter December 3, 1855, and was elected Captain of the Host in 1856 and Grand Captain of the Host in 1856. He received the Super Excellent Degree in Ahasuerus Council of Lowell, March 16, 1856, and was Captain of the Guard, 1871-1874. He received the Order of the Temple in Pilgrim Commandery, Knights Templar, March 26, 1856. He was Generalissimo 1872-1873, Commander 1874, 1875, 1877, 1878, Grand Senior Warden 1879, Grand Captain-General 1880-1881, Deputy Grand Commander 1882-1883, Grand Commander 1884-1885.
He received the 14th Grade in Lowell Lodge of Perfection of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite September 9, 1858, was elected its Potent Master 18?3-1887, and received all the grades from the 14th to the 32nd inclusive in Lowell Council of Princes of Jerusalem, Mount Calvary Chapter of Rose Croix, and Massachusetts Consistory. He was Most Wise Master of Mount Calvary Chapter 1891-1895, enrolled an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33°, sitting at Portland, Me., August 19, 1875. He was crowned an Active Member of the Supreme Council 33°, sitting at Pittsburgh, Pa., September 19, 1896, elected the Deputy for the District of Massachusetts 1900-1909, resigned his active membership and elected. an Emeritus Member September 20, 1909.
He was an Honorary Member of Charles A. Welch Lodge, Eliot Lodge; Lafayette Lodge, Pentucket Lodge, Kilwinning Lodge, Saint Bernard Commandery, Boston; Burlington Commandery, Vermont; Merrimack Valley Lodge of Perfection, Haverhill; and Massachusetts Consistory.
He was a Life Member of Ancient York Lodge, Massachusetts Consistory, Mount Olivet Chapter of Rose Croix, Giles F. Yates Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and Boston Lodge of Perfection.
During his term as Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts the important duty of rebuilding the Temple in Boston came under his direction, which obligation he faithfully and conscientiously discharged, so that the dedication of the new Temple will remain as one of the enduring monuments of his Masonic life.
Such is an outline of a Brother who was well known and most highly respected as a citizen of integrity and probity in the community in which he lived, an expert and conscientious adviser in his vocation, and a most accomplished, enthusiastic Mason. He leaves as his only survivor, one son, the Rev. Charles S. Hutchinson, Rector of St. Clement's Church, Philadelphia, Pa.
He was by temperament dignified, somewhat reticent and demure, and seemingly at times unsusceptible, but to those who were honored by an intimate acquaintance he gave undisputed evidence of a warm-hearted, manly friendship, and a disposition to render happiness to all who sought his counsel and aid.
In Masonic circles he will be greatly missed. Some of us who have been associated with him for many years in the conduct of business, in the various departments of our Masonic professions, and in the delicate task of conferring degrees, will never forget his attractive personality, his deep musical voice in the calm enunciation of the truths of the lessons of the ritual, and the dignified, impressive manner which fascinated both the candidate and the habitual Iistener. He was courageous to the last in his struggle with the insidious disease which laid him low. He was laid at rest in accordance with the services of the church to which he belonged. His memory is an inspiration and his fidelity to the Craft affords an example worthy of imitation.
Respectfully submitted,
Edwin B. Holmes
Solon W. Stevens
Arthur G. Pollard
SPEECHES
AT CENTENNIAL OF ST. PAUL LODGE, JANUARY 1897
From Proceedings, Page 1897-3:
W. MASTER: I thank you for your cordial salutation, and would assure you and the Brethren of St. Paul Lodge that it gives me great pleasure to bring to you the fraternal greetings and congratulations of the Grand Lodge upon this the Centennial Anniversary of your Lodge.
It is most gratifying to us all to know that the welfare and interest of our Institution have been so well supported and its principles so long and so boldly defended by your Lodge. It is evident that the zeal and fidelity of its founders still live among you. Although a hundred years have passed since, the fathers established here an institution which they believed would improve the condition of the people of this community and, awaken in them higher aspirations and nobler impulses, you have cause for congratulation that to-day you are permitted to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
I have often thought that if there be any place more than another where the great principles and teachings of our ancient brotherhood can be best appreciated and developed, it is in the rural portion of our Commonwealth where every man can be a friend and every neighbor a brother: where the ties of family and kinship are more closely woven and every one is his brother's keeper: where the rippling brook, the fertile fields and indeed all nature speak of peace and love, and turn one's thoughts to things that make for good.
The facts concerning the history of St. Paul Lodge, gathered from the Records of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, are few, but interesting.
The Charter bears the date of Jan. 26, 1797, and gives the Lodge precedence. from the same date. The next reference to St. Paul Lodge, in the Grand Lodge Records, occurs under the date of June 12, 1797, when it was voted: That the Grand Lodge will attend for the installation of St. Paul Lodge, at Groton, the 2d of August next.
The Columbian Centinel, of which R. W. Benjamin Russell, Past Grand Master, was editor and proprietor, supplements the Grand Lodge Records. That paper of Aug. 12, 1797, contains the following:
"On Wednesday last {Aug. 9th} St. Paul Lodge was consecrated and its officers installed in ample form, at Groton, by the R .W. Samuel Dunn, Esq., D. G. M., assisted by the officers of the Grand Lodge. The ceremonies were performed in the Meeting-House, before a large assembly; of which the ladies formed a brilliant and beautiful part. The Rev. Br. Harris delivered a pertinent and pointed discourse on the occasion, and an ingenious Oration was pronounced by R. W. Br. Thomas, acting D. G. M. After the business was finished, the Lodge, which had proceeded in order from Richardson's tavern to the Meeting-house, repaired in like order, to an arbour, where they partook of a liberal entertainment, and closed the day with festive hilarity, social greeting and deed's of benevolence. The clergy of "the vicinity were guests and appeared gratified."
The sermon on that occasion was printed at the request of the Grand Lodge. A. copy is in the Grand Lodge Library.
Dr. Harris selected as his text, Exodus xvi., 15, and his subject was "Ignorance and prejudice shown to be the only enemies to Freemasonry: then objections considered and answered: and the true description of the Society given."
The Grand Lodge Records show that St. Paul Lodge was represented in Grand Lodge with commendable regularity. Excepting from 1832 to 1840—when the doors of so many Lodges were closed — there has been scarcely a year of the century in which some representative of St. Paul Lodge has not been present in Grand Lodge.
Oliver Prescott, of Groton, is the earliest-named representative. Then in December, 1802, came W. Timothy Bigelow, at which Communication he was elected Junior Grand Warden. He paid all Lodge dues owing to the Grand Lodge, amounting to $24.50.
Other representatives of St. Paul Lodge in Grand Lodge were: in 1803, Bro. Wallis Little; 1806-7, R. W. Bro. James Brazier, Proxy; 1807, Bro. Oliver Prescott; 1808-9, David Child, Proxy; 1814-19, Bro. William F. Brazier, of Boston, Proxy; 1820, Oliver Shedd, of Roxbury, Proxy; 1823, David Child, of Groton, Proxy; 1846, Daniel Shattuck, who became Master of the Lodge; and lastly our lamented Brother, Hon. E. Dana Bancroft, regularly represented St. Paul Lodge; in Grand Lodge for nearly twenty-four years next preceding his decease.
The Grand Lodge Records also inform us that:
"A Special Meeting of the Grand Lodge was held in the town of Groton, county of Middlesex, for the purpose of consecrating a new Hall, erected by St. Paul Lodge, on the 18th of September, Anno Lucis 5804. The Lodge was opened in due form and organized in the following manner:
- R. W. TIMOTHY BIGELOW, Grand Master, pro tem.
- R. W. TIMOTHY WHITING, D. G. M., pro tem.
- R. W. BENJAMIN RUSSELL, S. G. W., pro tem.
- R. W. HENRY FOWLE, J. G. W., pro tem.
- R. W. JONATHAN GAGE, G. T., pro tem.
- R. W. JOHN B. HAMMATT, G. Sec., pro tem.
- R. W. EDMUND BOWMAN, G. Mar., pro tem.
- Rev. Bro. BEDE, G. C., pro tem.
- Bros. WHITE and HOWARD, G. Deacons, pro tem.
- W. EATON and BILLINGS, G. Stewards, pro tem.
- W. HORSEMAN, G. S. B., pro tem.
" W. BROWN and ABBOTT, Pursuivants, pro tem.
- Bro. JOHN KNOWLES, Grand Tyler, pro tem.
"The Grand Lodge thus arranged, accompanied with St. Paul Lodge, proceeded to the. new Hall, where an eulogium was delivered by the. R. W. Bro. Prescott, on the principles of Masonry.. The Hall was consecrated in- due form. An Oration was delivered: by Brother Peabody, and the Grand Lodge was closed in due form.
"Attest: JOHN B. HAMMATT, Grand Secretary."
June 14, 1820, the Grand Master, in speaking of the condition of the various Lodges in the State, said concerning St. Paul Lodge, of Groton: It "continues to maintain that truly Masonic character for which it has been long eminently distinguished."
June 25, 1821, the Festival of St. John the Baptist was celebrated in Groton under the auspices of St. Paul Lodge. Trinity, Social and Aurora Lodges and St. John's Royal Arch Chapter joined in the celebration. An oration — which was printed — was delivered by Comp. James Carter, and a banquet with post-prandial exercises closed the observance of the day.
At the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge held March 8, 1871, W. Bro. E Dana Bancroft offered the following motion, which was adopted:
Voted, That St. Paul Lodge, of Groton, be authorized to meet in the town of Ayer, in Caleb Butler Lodge-room, unless sooner provided with accommodations in Groton, till January, 1872.
At the Communication of the Grand Lodge held March 13, 1872, a petition, signed by nineteen members of St. Paul Lodge, approved by the District Deputy Grand Master and indorsed by Caleb Butler Lodge, was presented by Brother Bancroft asking for the removal of St. Paul Lodge from Groton to Ayer. The prayer of said petition was granted and the Lodge was accordingly removed to Ayer.
In a cursory review of the history of St. Paul Lodge, one is impressed with the character and prominence of many of its members, especially of its Worshipful Masters.
Oliver Prescott, Jr., — its first Senior Warden, a graduate of Harvard and a physician of extensive practice — was Surgeon in General Lincoln's army and accompanied the expedition which was raised to suppress Shay's rebellion in 1787. His father was an officer in the Revolutionary Army. Oliver Prescott, Jr., was Junior Grand Warden in 1810.
His successor as Master was his brother-in-law, Hon. Timothy Bigelow, who was a Harvard graduate and a distinguished lawyer. He was a member of both branches of the General Court and of the Executive Council.
James Prescott, a cousin of Oliver Prescott, Jr., a graduate of Harvard, began the practice of law. but upon the death of his uncle Oliver, the judge of probate, he was appointed to that office and was afterward chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
Caleb Butler was present in Grand Lodge Jan. 1, 1811; was District Deputy Grand Master from 1814 to 1817 inclusive; afterwards Senior Grand Warden, Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Master.
John Abbot succeeded Wor. Brother Butler as Master of St. Paul Lodge. Brother Abbot was District Deputy Grand Master in 1811 and 1812; Junior Grand Warden in 1813; Senior Grand Warden in 1814; Deputy Grand Master in 1821, 1822 and 1823; and Grand Master in. 1824, 1825, 1826 and 1834.
Augustus Peabody, a graduate of Dartmouth College, was District Deputy Grand Master in 1813 and 1814, Senior Grand Warden in 1817, and Grnnd Master in 1843, 1844, and 1845.
Besides these there have been others — not so prominent in Masonic matters, but no less efficient in their several Masonic offices: Col. Wm. Butterick, Capt. Daniel Shattuck, Hon. E. Dana Bancroft and others.
It would be interesting could we discover the circumstances under which this Lodge received its name. We can surmise that the Brethren of Groton, after a full consideration of appropriate names for the Lodge, selected the name St. Paul, not simply for its euphony, or the place of the Apostle in sacred history, but rather on account of the characteristics of the man. He was a zealous, tireless, enthusiastic promoter of any cause in which he was engaged. Converted to Christianity, his loyalty, zeal and fearlessness shone with a lustre which 1,900 years have not dimmed. He overshadows and overreaches every other worker in the early church. Fidelity to the truth was his motto, and no opposition however strong, nor punishment however severe forced him to waver in his duty.
The selection of his name implies, on the part of the founders of this Lodge, a recognition of the value of fidelity, zeal and courage in the discharge of duties which devolve upon us.
Were not these largely the characteristics which gave so much prominence and influence to the citizens of Groton? They were certainly characteristics of those who founded and nurtured St. Paul Lodge and guided it wisely and well through the anti-Masonic storm of sixty years ago.
St. Paul Lodge never surrendered its Charter; its altar light was never extinguished; its loyalty to the Grand Lodge was never weak nor uncertain. It has pressed on through the century, sometimes possibly with feeble and flagging step, but it has been faithful to our Order, zealous in retaining its chartered rights, and courageous in meeting difficulties and the opposition of misguided men.
Brethren, remember the character of the Gentile apostle; remember the fidelity, zeal and courage of the fathers; recall the century's history replete with the great achievements of our Order, and let these recollections inspire you to begin the new century by imitating the example of the fathers; so that one hundred years hence the walls of St. Paul Lodge-room will resound with words in praise of your achievements, even as to-day they echo and re-echo your grateful thanks for the fidelity, zeal and courage of its founders.
CHARTERS GRANTED
