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SIMON W. ROBINSON 1792-1868

Junior Grand Warden, 1837
Senior Grand Warden, 1838-1840
Deputy Grand Master, 1841-1843
Grand Master, 1846-1848

TERM

1846 1847 1848

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page VII-257:

"Another of the members of former years, an active participant and sharer in the fortunes of this Grand Lodge in its days of trial, and who was spared to behold its uprise and prosperity, has attained his higher degree of immortality, — the great elevation from earth to heaven.

Our late Past Grand Master, Simon Wiggin Robinson, was one beloved and respected by his brethren; one not endowed by brilliant qualities of mind and education, but the possessor of a heart filled with useful and generous qualities. There is a natural tendency which we all feel on occasions of this kind, to pass the limits of judicial accuracy in our tributes to the memory of those whom we honored and loved while living, and of whom we have been bereft. We do not scrupulously measure the words of kindness which flow from our hearts, struck with a personal and associated sorrow. I think, however, I do not fall into this natural and pardonable error, when I say that all things considered, we have lost one of the most faithful and kind brothers ever called to the chair of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts,

His Masonic career and relations are known to us all, and need not be recapitulated here. His characteristics for sterling good sense, fidelity, and truth are engraven on our hearts and will be held in our memories. Let our records show that these are there engrossed, and. therefore, I move that the following resolution be entered in our annals and a copy transmitted to his family:—

Whereas it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from us our late beloved Past Grand Master, Simon Wiggin Robinson,—

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge, in common with the officers and members of the subordinate Lodges of this jurisdiction, have sustained by the decease of their late venerable associate, a loss of a devoted and faithful brother, whose life has been consecrated to the duties of the good man, brother and citizen. A zealous friend and supporter of our order in every department, whose amiable personal qualities and virtues endeared him to all, and constitute the character of a truly worthy man."

BIOGRAPHY

From 1916 Proceedings.

Simon Wiggin Robinson drew his first breath among the granite hills of New Hampshire, being born at New Hampton in that State, on the nineteenth day of February, 1792. His father, Captain Noah Robinson, a native of the same State, was a staunch and loya1 citizen of the o1d school and did honorable service for his country during our revolutionary struggle.

At the age of twenty, Brother Robinson was also in the service of his country, and, as Adjutant was stationed at Portsmouth, N. H., during the war of 1812. At the close of the war he left the army and located in Boston, where he entered into active commercial business in which he continued until about 1845, when he retired with a moderate competency. He was twice happily married, and two sons, two daughters, and his widow, survived him.

Although one year a member of the Legislature of Massachusetts he never entered into the active political arena, or became a partisan of any of those varied and exciting events that often sweep like a whirlwind over the land. During his active career he studiously kept within bounds of all mankind, pursuing the even tenor of his way in all that constitutes a man, a citizen, and a Mason, maintaining throughout this long journey of life a spotless character and an honored name.

What higher tribute can the living bestow upon the dead?

In his social relations he ever preserved that even, frank, truthful, pleasant disposition, that won for him the sincere esteem and attachment of a large circle of friends, which continued in the most harmonious concord during his long earthly existence.

The Masonic record of Most Worshipful Brother Robinson, presents that same pure type of unblemished character that was so marked throughout his business and social life.

He was initiated in Mount Lebanon Lodge, Boston, on the twenty-ninth day of November, 1819, received the Fellowcraft Degree, the same date, and was raised to a Master Mason January 20, 1820, admitted a member February 28, same year, and was Worshipful Master of the Lodge for several years, serving also as Treasurer from 1828 to 1843. For his long, active services to the Lodge he was made an Honorary Member March 12 1849.

He was Grand Scribe of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts in 1834 and 1835, Grand King in 1836, and Grand High Priest in 1837, 1838, and 1839. After filling several important positions in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts he was elected. Grand Master of that Body in 1846, presiding during his term of office with marked ability and benefit to the Craft.

In Templar Masonry he also filled the highest positions and presided as Grand Commander over the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 1851, Brother Robinson received the 33° from the Supreme Council, Ancient Accepted Rite, at Boston, and became an active and zealous worker in that Grand Body. He was Grand Treasurer in 1859, and Lieutenant Grand Commander under Illustrious Brother Raymond. in 1861, which office he held until 1865, when he became the Sovereign Grand Commander of one of the rival Supreme Councils, Ancient Accepted Rite, for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to his brethren, till his resignation of that office on the sixteenth day of May, 1867, the time of the union of the two Supreme Councils, being the last official position he heid in the Masonic Society, in which he had devoted over thirty years as an active member and zealous worker for the maintenance of its golden rules and cardinal principles.

For several months previous to his death he devoted himself exclusively to the quiet, social, domestic family circle, receiving with a Christian resignation, during his declining health, the silent admonition of his approaching end and with a self-consciousness of having performed his allotted task and pilgrimage on earth he carefully arranged his worldly affairs, portioned out his Masonic papers to old and devoted associates, and when the last hour came for yielding up the spirit to the God that gave it, he calmly and with great composure passed away to the realms of immortality. He died at his residence in Lexington, Massachusetts, on the sixteenth clay of October, 1868, and was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

28 M.F.M. 21, 183.

SPEECHES

From Proceedings, V-126, December 1846, Address to the Grand Lodge:

In the providence of God we are again assembled within this consecrated Hall, dedicated and set apart to universal benevolence, to exchange tokens of fraternal regard, and to strengthen our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection. Few things could give a more heartfelt pleasure, and satisfaction than this meeting of friends and brethren, from different parts of the Commonwealth, uniting in the grand design of devising ways and means for the general prosperity and happiness of the fraternity. And I rejoice to meet so many of you, on this occasion in health and prosperity and sincerely hope that it may long be continued to you.

The past year has been one of unusual prosperity to the Fraternity, many brethren whose standing in society give strength and character to the Institution, have been added to our numbers. It has attained an elevated rank among the honored and useful Institutions of the land, and its privileges are sought with avidity by the virtuous and good in every condition of life. At no period since the introduction of Free Masonry into this country has it held a higher place in public estimation or have its prospects been more gratifying and encouraging than at the present moment. The maddening prejudice, and unshallowed excitement against the Institution, which but a few years since pervaded the community, disturbing the friendly relation of families and neighbors, and poisoning the fountains of social and domestic enjoyment, have passed away, and it is now every where regarded with favor and affection.

Most of the Lodges which were prostrated by the violence of the Anti-Masonic tornado which spread over our country with resistless sweep, now stand erect, and the brethren are engaged with commendable zeal and energy in repairing the desolation, in mending the breaches, and strengthening her ramparts of our beloved zion. In Vermont while all seemed lost and trampled in the dust, the enlivening sound of the gavel is again heard, and their Lodges seem instinct with vitality. In New Hampshire and Maine the Institutions are in the ascendant and give promise of continued prosperity.

These manifestations of divine goodness demand our warmest gratitude to the great and benevolent Author of our existence for his protecting care and preservation of our time honored Institution, and its restoration to health and activity. Since our last communication Mt, Tabor Lodge, at E. Boston, has been consecrated, and its officers installed in due and ancient form. This is a new Lodge and is composed of active, intelligent and zealous brethren who "show their faith by their works." Washington Lodge at Roxbury has awoke from its long slumbers, and has commenced labor with a remarkable prospect of a plentiful harvest. They have procured and fitted up at no inconsiderable expense, a New Hall for their accommodation and give satisfactory evidence of their devotion to the interests of the Institution and a determination to support its principles. Monitor Lodge at Waltham has been organized and although they are weak in number, they are strong in the faith, and being located in the midst of a moral and intelligent community, no doubt is entertained of their ultimate success.

Within a few weeks past I have had occasion to visit many of the Lodges under this jurisdiction, and have been highly gratified to witness the harmony, order and decorum, which every where prevails, and the desire of the brethren to perfect themselves in the lecture and work. The advantage of our Annual meetings for Instruction, cannot well be overrated, and is doing much to bring about a uniformity in the work, and lecture throughout our Commonwealth, I would now my brethren call your attention to a subject of some importance, which will require and I trust will receive your serious and candid attention.

It is probably known to most of you that a Convention has been proposed to be held in the city of Baltimore the ensuing September, for the purpose of instituting a General G. Lodge. The proposition has already met with favor in some of the G. Lodges and in others it is still under consideration. The subject has several times been presented to this G. Lodge, but generally under circumstances unfavorable to a full and dispassionate consideration of its merits. The present happy and quiet state of the fraternity seemed peculiarly adapted to its consideration and I doubt not it will receive that attention its importance demands. From the best information I have been able to obtain, I am led to believe that the Convention will be held, and a majority of the G. Lodges will be represented there — and that a Constitution will be framed and will be binding on such G. Lodges, and such only, as shall adopt it. It is then for you to determine whether under all the circumstances in the case, it would not be for the interest of this G. Lodge to be represented, and to assist in the framing of a Constitution, if one is to be framed. The subject is now placed before you, to make such disposition of it, as you in your wisdom, may think best, and I doubt not it will receive that careful consideration, for which this G, Lodge has ever been distinguished. I shall be most happy to cooperate with you, in any measures which you may deem advisable for the promotion of the great object of the Institution.

NOTES

CHARTERS GRANTED

• 12/13/1846 Mount Tabor, East Boston
• 03/10/1847 St. Paul's, South Boston
• 12/13/1848 Lafayette, North Adams

CHARTERS RESTORED

• 09/09/1846 Washington, Roxbury
• 12/28/1846 Monitor, Waltham
• 06/09/1847 Mystic, Pittsfield
• 06/09/1848 Constellation, Dedham

RULINGS

• 1847
• 1848

Grand Masters