MAOtherBrothersA

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ATWELL, JOHN BRYANT 1787-1883

From Proceedings, Page 1883-231:

I cannot close these brief memorials without an allusion to the death of one ofthe signers of the Declaration of 1831, who was probably the oldest Mason in the State at the time of his death.

John Bryant Atwell was born in Lynn, February 15, 1787, and died in Wakefield, his place of residence, October 27, 1883, in the ninety-seventh year of his age. His life extended through the administrations of all the Presidents of the United States, or the whole constitutional history of the country. He was raised a Master Mason in Mount Moriah Mount Moriah Lodge, of Wakefield, in 1810, and was the last surviving member of that Lodge, which is now extinct. He was at one time W. Master of the Lodge. It will be seen that his career as a Mason, like that of Bro. Dewing, just mentioned, covered the extraordinary term of seventy-three years. What vicissitudes had these veteran Masons seen the Institution pass through during that period, and how interesting would be a record of their Masonic experience!

I regret that I have few data for a proper notice of Bro. Atwell's career; but I learn that he was an active and public spirited citizen, who during his life received proofs. of the confidence of his fellow-townsmen in his election, to several public offices. He represented Wakefield in the General Court in 1852. It is said of him that he never missed casting his ballot in a general election from the time he came of age, — a proof of his just estimate of the duties of an American citizen.


Distinguished Brothers