Difference between revisions of "Hampden"

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HAMPDEN LODGE

Location: Springfield

Chartered By: Francis J. Oliver

Charter Date: 03/07/1817 III-94

Precedence Date: 03/07/1817

Current Status: merged with Roswell Lee-Indian Orchard Lodge to form Indian Orchard Masonic Lodge, 09/12/2003.

PAST MASTERS

need living PMs

NOTES

V-40: Hampden Lodge suspended work from 1835-1844; remitted dues in December 1845.

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Charter: referred 1816; granted 1817
• Consolidation Petition (with Roswell Lee-Indian Orchard Lodge): 2003

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1917 (Centenary)
• 1942 (125th Anniversary)
• 1967 (150th Anniversary)
• 1992 (175th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1881 (Lawrence)
• 1882 (Lawrence)
• 1890 (Wells)
• 1893 (Deputy Grand Master Shepard; dedication of Springfield Masonic Hall; Special Communication)
• 1898 (Hutchinson)
• 1901 (Gallagher)
• 1908 (Blake)
• 1911 (Flanders)
• 1912 (Benton)
• 1917 (L. Abbott; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1926 (Simpson; Dedication of Masonic hall; Special Communication)
• 1927 (Simpson; Veterans' Night)
• 1930 (H. Dean; reception for Junior Grand Warden Smith)
• 1942 (Schaefer; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1948 (Keith; reception for Junior Grand Warden Gray)
• 1953 (Roy)
• 1967 (Booth; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1970 (Jaynes)
• 1980 (Melanson)
• 1981 (Berquist)
• 1990 (Darling)
• 1992 (Darling; 2 visits, including 175th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 2003 (Hicks; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1858 1869 1874 1876 1877 1878 1882 1886 1890 1891 1900 1903 1905 1909 1911 1912 1916 1917 1919 1921 1924 1925 1927 1933 1937 1945 1952 1976 1977 1979 1981 1982

HISTORY

• 1917 (Centenary historical address, 1917-115; not in Proceedings)
• 1938 (Historical notes in the history of Mount Orthodox Lodge, 1938-115)
• 1942 (125th Anniversary History, 1942-47)
• 1992 (175th Anniversary History, 1992-20)

OTHER

• 1828 (Report on delinquency, IV-147)
• 1829 (Report on delinquency, IV-170)
• 1845 (Remission of dues, V-40)
• 1856 (Complaint on jurisdiction, VI-8, VI-21)
• 1886 (Jurisdictional dispute, 1886-39)
• 1936 (Reduction of fees, 1936-38)
• 1939 (Reduction of fees, 1939-453)

EVENTS

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIII, No. 3, January, 1864, p. 87:

PRESENTATION IN HAMPDEN LODGE.

The following beautiful and interesting speech was made by Bro. P. M. E. W. Clark, on the occasion of presenting an elegant Past Master's Jewel and Collar to Bro. P. M. F. T. Merrick, Tuesday eveuing, November 3d, 1863 :—

"My Brother—In times like the present, when every eye and ear is strained to catch the first news from our gallant armies, we are apt to forget that, Peace has her victories as well as War.

"The members of Hampden Lodge have often given to their gallant Brothers who have gone forth in defence of our common country, valuable tokens of their esteem, and appreciation of their services in that defence, and it is well that they should do so, for the principles of Masonry are founded on love of God and Country.

"My Brother — we are assembled here this evening, as visiting Brethren of Hampden Lodge; not to pay our homage to the warrior for gallant deeds done in the defence of Country, but to express lo you our esteem for you as a man and a Mason.

"My Brother — you have this evening laid aside the square as a symbol of your office, and again assumed the Trowel, and the visiting Brethren of this Lodge desirous of expressing to you their appreciation of your skill in governing Hampden Lodge, and their thanks for the many acts of kindness which we have received from you, have appointed me to perform that duty, and I can but regret that some one more competent had not been appointed by them.

"For two years, my Brother, you have been Master of Hampden Lodge, and during that time, I think I may say with propriety, no Master could perform his duties more faithfully, being absent but one Communication, I think, and that a special one.

"Your decisions have always been according to Masonic Law, and as such of course acceptable to all. I speak of these things, my Brother, for we, as visiting Brethren, representing thirty different Lodges, (I think) would be apt to discover some imperfections, were it possible. Most of us came to your Lodge entire strangers, we knocked and the door became opened to us, and we have ever received from you, and the members of this Lodge, that courtesy and affability, which we duly appreciate, and for which we express to you our thanks.

"Here have we formed those many pleasing associations which will endear us to this Lodge, not only as Masons, but we have formed many friendships, which will last till life shall end ; and here, under your government have we always found Peace, Love and Unity: thus, my Brother, have you endeared yourself to us as a Mason, and by practising those virtues out of the Lodge, which you have so often inculcated wiihin, you have endeared yourself to us as a man. And now, my Brother, accept these words from me as a token of the friendship of the visiting Brothers towards you, trusting that you may look back on your mastership of this Lodge as one of the bright spots in a well spent life; and wishing you a long and happy life; that you may be blessed not only with this world's goods, but that you may receive that

"Which nothing earthly gives, or can destroy,
The soul's calm sunshine and the heart felt joy."

"There is an old adage, that 'actions speak louder than words,' accept then my Brother this Jewel, not for its intrinsic worth, but as a token of our esteem for you, and when you wear it, may it call to your mind many of these valuable lessons in which you have so often instructed others. The compass extended on a quadrant will remind you that your sphere of usefulness in this life, is only bounded by your ability to perform ; let the Square remind you, although not the symbol of your office, yet God has made all things square, upright and perfect; and the Sun, in the centre, of that great light which God has given us to lead us through life, and when you shall have done with life, and shall have passed to your reward, then may that beautiful passage of Holy Scripture be made manifest to you, which says, "The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."

MEMORIALS

JOHN B. KIRKHAM, d. 1857

• MM 1817, WM 1825, 1846, [1]

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVII, No. 6, April 1858, Page 190:

At a late Communication of Hampden Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, a committee was appointed to prepare some suitable notice and testimonial on occasion of the death of our late Brother John B. Kirkham.

Brother Kirkham had been a member of this Lodge from the time of its installation in 1817; he was also a member of all the other Masonic bodies in this city, and from time to time has most acceptably presided in them all ; and has likewise held and exercised other important and responsible offices and trusts The Masonic honors accorded to him were most worthily bestowed, and always borne with, just appreciation and modesty.

He loved the principles and practice of Freemasonry as well in its prosperity, when the "dew lay all night upon its branches, whose leaf did not wither nor its fruit fail," as in the days of peril and adversity, when false friends and open enemies "cried havoc," and rushed together for its destruction ; and to us it is a most happy reflection, that he lived many years after the whirlwind of party rancor was over and gone, and enjoyed the heartfelt satisfaction of again " setting the Craft to work and giving them wise and proper instruction."

In this view, the members of Hampden Lodge deem something more than a for mal vote required of them; some just and more extended declaration of respect to be "left on long record," in memory of an upright and accomplished Mason, and an honest man. Brother Kirkham, one of the oldest, most worthy and respected of our Fraternity, has fallen in the front ranks ; and it is becoming that we offer a just tribute to the memory of our deceased worthy Brother, an upright, energetic and estimable citizen. But ho has gone down to the grave, a bright and worthy example of Christian and Masonic life, and in him was faithfully exemplified for nearly half a century, the cardinal principles of our Order, Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love. Therefore

• Resolved, That in the death of our late Brother, John B. Kirkham, a bright and shining light in Freemasonry has been extinguished.
• Resolved, That this Lodge, and the Masonic Fraternity in general, deeply deplore this melancholy dispensation of the Divine Hand.
• Resolved, That the Jewels and Furniture of Hampden Lodge be clothed in mourning for the usual period of time.
• Resolved, That the Secretary transmit to the widow and children of the deceased, and also to the Editor of the Freemasons' Magazine, copies of proceedings in Lodge, and respectfully to request that the same may be published.

James W. Crooks, Daniel Reynolds, S. C. Bemis, Committee.
Attest, Henry A. Chapin, Secretary.
Springfield, Mass., Jan. 19, A. L. 5857.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Edwin A. Blodgett, DDGM, District 16 (Chicopee), 1895, 1896
• Emil U. Dillenback, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 1930, 1931; Deputy Grand Master 1953; N
• Hiram I. Dillenback, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 1921, 1922; Deputy Grand Master 1923
• Philip Ehnstrom, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 2000, 2001; N
• Fred A. Eldred, DDGM, District 16 (Springfield), 1909, 1910; SN
• John A. Gamber, DDGM, District 10, 1854; SN
• George W. Gray, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 1938, 1939; Junior Grand Warden 1948; N
• Frank O. Hartwell, DDGM, District 33 (Springfield), 1918, 1919; N
• Edward P. Kendrick, DDGM, District 10 (Springfield), 1881, 1882; District 16 (Chicopee), 1883; Junior Grand Warden 1903
• Douglas F. Knight, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 1960, 1961; N
• Oliver B. Morris, DDGM, District 10, 1821, 1822; SN
• George P. Nay, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 1994, 1995
• Alfred G. Phillips, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 1948, 1949; N
• Daniel Reynolds, DDGM, District 9, 1857-1860; Junior Grand Warden 1863
• Spencer W. Shaw, DDGM, District 18 (Springfield), 1976, 1977; N
• William Shurtleff, DDGM, District 9, 1861-1863; SN
• Addison Ware, DDGM, District 9, 1847-1848; SN

DISTRICTS

1817: District 6 (Central Massachusetts, Worcester)

1821: District 10

1835: District 9

1849: District 9

1867: District 10 (Springfield)

1883: District 16 (Chicopee)

1902: District 16 (Springfield)

1911: District 18 (Springfield)

1927: District 18 (Springfield)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges