GMRobinson
Contents
SIMON W. ROBINSON 1792-1868
Junior Grand Warden, 1837
Senior Grand Warden, 1838-1840
Deputy Grand Master, 1841-1843
Grand Master, 1846-1848
TERM
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.
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
