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1861

WILLIAM T. COOLIDGE, Grand Master

G. Washington Warren, Deputy Grand Master
William North, Senior Grand Warden
Jessee P. Pattee, Junior Grand Warden

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS

Held at Freemasons' Hall, Boston

• 03/13: VI-358;
• 06/12: VI-373;
• 09/11: VI-381;
• 12/11: VI-386; (Annual Communication)

03/13 Agenda

None.

06/12 Agenda

• VI-378; Presentation by the Grand Master of a patriotic Circular from the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, to which the Grand Lodge responded in a fraternal manner.
• VI-379; Note of the 83rd birthday of Rt. Wor. John B. Hammatt.
• VI-380; Acceptance of invitation to lay the cornerstone of Harvard Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Cambridgeport; the Grand Lodge proceeded with escort from Boston Commandery.

09/11 Agenda

• VI-384; Wor. Bro. Wilson, Past Master of Fredonia Lodge recognized.
• VI-385; Report of Charity Committee.

12/11 Agenda

• VI-387; Report of the Committee of Finance.
• VI-393; Re-election of Grand Master Coolidge (253 ballots) and other Grand Lodge officers.
• VI-393; Report of Charity Committee.

Grand Constitutions Amendment Proposals

None.

Grand Master's Address

• 03/13: VI-359; Report of the committee on the retiring Grand Master's Address.
  • Regarding the appointment of a Committee of Foreign Correspondence: "A digest of the doings of the brethren elsewhere . . . would be of great value to us; . . .But the value of a report of such a committee would depend largely upon the qualification of the members, and their application to the arduous duties devolved upon them. This office [of the Corresponding Grand Secretary] has been hitherto more ornamental than useful; but in future, it is hoped it will possess both of these characteristics." They recommend that this office take care of these affairs.
  • The committee applauds the suggestion that the work and lectures should be introduced into the subordinate Lodges, and that a Lodge that "does not have the ritual entirely at its command, word for word, letter for letter, and comma for comma" should perhaps be denied the vote at Grand Lodge.
  • Further consideration was tabled and referred to a committee.
    • 06/12: VI-379; Verbal report by Rt. Wor. G. Washington Warren.

Lodge By-Law Changes

• 09/11: VI-385; The Massachusetts Lodge, referred and accepted.

Necrologies and Memorials

• 03/13: VI-365; Death of Rt. Wor. and Rev. Paul Dean, Past Grand Master; presented by committee chaired by Rt. Wor. Jerome Van Crowninshield Smith.

• 03/13: VI-366; Death of Rt. Wor. C. Gayton Pickman, Past Junior Grand Warden; presented by committee.

• 03/13: VI-367; Death of Bro. Ebenezer Mower of Worcester at age 100.
  • 06/12: VI-375; report presented by Rt. Wor. Winslow Lewis.

• 12/11: VI-392; Death of Rt. Wor. Sylvanus [Sylvester] Baxter, Past DDGM of the 8th District; referred to committee.
  • 12/27: VI-402; report.

Petitions for Charters

• 06/12: VI-375; Petition for John Warren U.D., Hopkinton, granted.

• 06/12: VI-376; Petition for Dalhousie U.D., Newtonville, granted, with some revisions to By-Laws as noted.

• 09/11: VI-382; Petition for Pacific U.D., Amherst, granted.

• 09/11: VI-383; Petition for John Hancock U.D., Methuen, granted.

• 12/11: VI-391; Petition for Aberdour U.D., Boston, granted with slight alterations to By-Laws.

Petitions for Dispensation for Lodges

Mentioned in Grand Master's Address, beginning on Page VI-352:

• Orient, South Dedham (02/22)
• Pythagorean, Marion (07/13)

Army Lodges granted dispensations:

• Bay State Army #1, 3rd Regiment (05/06)
• Massachusetts Army #2, 16th Regiment (08/12)
• United Brethren Army #3, 17th Regiment (09/16)
• Fraternal Army #4, 25th Regiment (10/17)
• Bunker Hill Army #5, 2nd Regiment (11/04)
• Union (McClellan) Army #6, 1st Regiment of Cavalry (12/24)

Petitions for Restoration of Charter

None.

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS

None.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

(held at Masonic Temple, Boston, 12/27/1861); VI-398.

• VI-398: Lodge of Instruction.

• VI-400: Installation of Grand Master Coolidge and other Grand Lodge officers.

• VI-352: Report of the Grand Master for the preceding year:
  • Corner Stone Layings:
    • St. John's Episcopal Church, Lowell (04/15) by Rt. Wor. G. Washington Warren, Deputy Grand Master.
    • First Universalist Church, Chelsea (05/30)
    • Howard Methodist Episcopal Church, Cambridgeport (06/12)
  • Lodge Hall Dedications:
    • Hammatt, East Boston (01/02) consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • John Warren, Hopkinton (01/17) consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • New Bedford (01/22) and installation for Star in the East and Eureka Lodges.
    • Southbridge (01/28), and installation for Quinebaug Lodge.
    • Dalhousie, Newtonville (06/24); consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • John Hancock, Methuen (09/20); consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • Pacific, Amherst (09/20) consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • Worcester (11/12), and installation for Montacute Lodge.
• VI-405: "Elegant and beautiful address on the subject of Masonic friendship" by Rev. Bro. William R. Alger, and an original Ode by Bro. John K. Hall.

REPORTS OF DISTRICT DEPUTIES: 1861

The official reports of the District Deputies to the Grand Master were reprinted in full in Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXI. They are found on the following pages:

• Vol. XXI, No. 5, March 1862, Page 172-177
• Vol. XXI, No. 6, April 1862, Page 204-210

FIRST DISTRICT

Boston, Dec. 21, 1861.
W. D. Coolidge, Esq., Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

It is a pleasant duty to report the condition of the Lodges of the First Masonic District. Embracing eight of the Lodges in the Metropolis and three in the suburban towns, it tells the condition of the institution throughout the Commonwealth.

I cannot, therefore, omit the opportunity presented, of congratulating you, that you have been called to preside over its destinies at a time when its high standing and great prosperity are without a parallel in its history; and when all that you can hope or desire is, to transmit it to your successor in the same healthy condition in which yon found it, and for which, in a great measure, we are indebted to the faithful labors of your two more immediate predecessors, Winslow Lewis, M. D., and John T. Heard, Esq. I have visited nearly all of the Lodges of the Jurisdiction more than once.

The official visits and examinations were made by me in person, with one ex caption. Being unable to make my official visit to Revere Lodge, without requiring them to call a special meeting for the purpose, I constituted our R. W. Br. Clement A. Walker, M. D., a special deputy to make the visit in my stead. He discharged the duty in an efficient and faithful manner, and greatly to the acceptance of the Brethren of that highly respectable Lodge.

The suburban Lodges, Monitor, of Waltham, Bethesda, of Brighton, and Pequossette, of Watertown, though not doing a great amount of work, it is of the best of materials, and of finished workmanship. The distinguished reception with which they greeted your representative, and the pleasant and social hours I enjoyed with them after the close of our labors, I shall not soon forget. The friendly and social manner in which the members of these Lodges visit each other, I recommend to others.

The Lodges in East Boston, Mt. Tabor, Baalbec, and Hammatt, though feeling the pressure of the times, hold their meetings, and practice our rights with undiminished zeal and interest.

My visits to St John's and Winslow Lewis Lodges were full of interest. There is the good old St. John's, the first Lodge on the continent, beautiful and young too in her green old age! and there is Winslow Lewis Lodge, a young scion from that ancient tree! Neither can be surpassed in skill in work, or devotion to our principles. Then, there is St. Andrew's, upward of a century old. How pleasant to look upon her old By-Laws, and the signature of the patriot Joseph Warren, and to think of the meetings in the Old Green Dragon, where he presided.

But the most interesting event of the year was my visit to Mt. Lebanon Lodge. Our much esteemed Brother Lash was there to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of his membership. And right gallantly did the Brethren greet him! with feastings and rejoicings! They greeted him as the patriarchal cedar of their Lebanon, whose branches had preserved their Lodge when weak, from being lorn up and blown away by the anti-masonic storm; and he was assured in return that they would protect him against any rude blasts that might beset his declining years, and when the all-devouring scythe of time should out the brittle thread of his life, the sweet remembrance of bis virtues will remain with us till time shall be no more. On this occasion also, was present the R. W. John B. Hammatt, sixty years a member of St John's Lodge, whose memory our East Boston Brethren have taken such pains to preserve. Thus may we ever honor our fathers in Masonry, that the days of our institution may be long in the land which the Lord our God hath given us. The details of the work of the District during the past year are already in the archives of the Grand Lodge.

Fraternally, your obedient servant,
BENJ. DEAN, D D.G.M., 1st Masonic District.

SECOND DISTRICT

Salem, Dec. 5th, 1861.
To the M. W. William D. Coolidqe, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

I have the honor, in accordance with my duty, to report to you the condition of the Lodges in this, the second Masonic District of the Commonwealth.

The ten Lodges which you have been pleased to place under my charge, remain as formerly in a prosperous and flourishing state. As will be seen by my returns, herewith submitted, there have not been so many initiated during the present year as during the previous one. The number has fallen from seventy-seven to fifty-nine. But this is not to be regarded as indicative of any decline in the Order, but is owing to other and independent causes. The state of the country, which has almost engrossed the thoughts of all good citizens, and has led them to dwell upon but one idea, besides taking away great numbers of our young and active men, has naturally and unavoidably interfered with the regular workings of all home institutions. In this connection I cannot fail to allude to one of the Lodges under my charge, Tyrian Lodge, of Gloucester. This is the only Lodge within my jurisdiction which I have not met in regular communication. In this instance I saw only the Secretary and his Record. The three first officers of the Lodge are all officers in the volunteer army, and as well as many of its members are at the seat of war. Honor be to them for leaving their posts and their homes, and joining in the struggle to sustain our national unity and independence. True men and true Masons may they fight the good fight; may they strike valiantly and well, and may the God of battles return them in safety to their Brethren and their firesides.

Another of my Lodges, Essex, of Salem, sent off among those who first rushed to the rescue, its first officer, and several of its members. The Master left a Captain and returned a Lieutenant Colonel, and he proved himself as brave and skillful a soldier, as his Brethren had long known him to be an accomplished and faithful Mason. Other instances, both in this and in the other Lodges, might be mentioned, of those who at home and in peace, were the best patterns of Masonic knowledge and virtue, proving themselves in war and in times of national peril, the noblest exemplars of the sublime virtue of patriotism. May God speed the time when Masons at the North and at the South shall again meet together in love and harmony. But let it not be until they can meet as citizens of one country; members of one common and re-established Union, with one constitution to govern, and one glorious Flag to wave over them. That this time may soon come, let us all labor, and strive and pray.

In one of my Lodges, St. Mark's, of Newburyport, there has been manifest and marked improvement during the past year. The feeling between its members and those of St. John's Lodge, in the same city, which is one of my best Lodges, is kind and cordial, and the result is the increased comfort of both. There is but one other Lodge which I deem it necessary to mention, by name, Warren Lodge, at Amesbury. It is the smallest Lodge in the District, has labored under many disadvantages; and without the slightest intention of reflecting upon its officers or members, I may say, that it falls behind the other Lodges in its ritual and work. I would respectfully advise that it receive the earliest attention of the Grand Lecturer.

I desire, before closing, to acknowledge on my part the signal service which you, M. W. G. Master, as the august head of our Order in this Commonwealth, are rendering to the Masonic world, and the honor yon are conferring upon the Brethren. Your present distinguished position is but the rightful culmination of a long career of highly useful and honorable labor. May your life long be spared, and may your services long be retained In a sphere where you can do so much for the profession you adorn.

I desire, also, publicly to acknowledge the favors I have received from the Grand Secretary in my official relations. I have had frequent occasion to consult some acknowledged authority, upon vexed and difficult questions, and I have always found in this officer one who courteously and cheerfully gave me every assistance in his power, and whose decisions I found were respected by the Brethren as positive law. I have the honor to be, most respectfully yours,

WM. SUTTON, D.D.G.M., 2d District.

THIRD DISTRICT

Lowell, Nov. 28, 1861.
To the Most Worshipful William D. Coolidge, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts—

My Dear Sir and Brother — In my Annual Communication to your predecessor in office, I gave a brief detail of the condition of the several Lodges in the Third Masonic District, as found one year since, upon the occasion of my regular visits. With but little change, that report would suffice for the present year.

Corinthian Lodge, at Concord, is the only Lodge whose annual return shows that no increase has been made in its numbers this year. Various reasons have concurred to prevent applications being made. It is the smallest in the District; its members are scattered, and all its officers do not reside in the town where it is established.

I visited St. Paul's Lodge, at Groton, upon the occasion of its Annual Communication. It gives me pleasure to record the presence at this meeting, of our venerable Brother John Walton, M. D., aged ninety-one years. The W. Master, Br. E. D. Bancroft, gave an interesting sketch of the Lodge and of the changes which had taken place during the year. It appears that two Brethren, James Larkin (Past Master,) and Nathaniel Stone, have deceased, who, on the 12th of August, A. D. 1811, were together raised as Master Masons, and who, ever since, uninterruptedly, until the time of their decease, have been active members of the Lodge.

Merrimack Lodge, at Haverhill, has lost the past year Brother Elbridge G. Eaton, Past Master; one of its most active and revered members. Through his exertions, mainly, the Charter of this Lodge was restored; and by his zeal and labor, as W. Master, it has been brought to its present high position. Brother Eaton was buried by his Lodge with Masonic honors; in the ceremonies of which the various Lodges in the neighborhood assisted.

Grecian Lodge, at Lawrence, is in the most flourishing condition, and, at my annual visit, appeared to be in a much better state than I found it a year ago. It is now the largest Lodge in the District.

Pawtucket (sic) Lodge, at Lowell, appears to better advantage than ever before. Its officers have been selected with careful discrimination, and its capabilities for effectively conferring the degrees are unsurpassed in the District,

Aurora Lodge, at Fitchburg, has selected R. W. Jonas A. Marshall, M. D., Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, as its W. Master. He is highly esteemed by the Brethren, and has occupied the East at various times before. This Lodge is building a fine and capacious Hall, for its own use, thus evincing the great prosperity which heretofore has, and still does, attend it.

The other Lodges, whom it is unnecessary to name, are in a prosperous state, and the various members appear to be inspired with a praiseworthy zeal for the institution.

Caleb Butler Lodge, at Groton, has sent many of its members to the seat of war; one of whom is W. Master of a Camp Lodge, chartered by you in a Massachusetts Regiment, while others occupy high and responsible positions in the Lodge under him.

The unhappy state of the country, and the consequent depression of business, are leaving their effect upon the Lodges, as will be seen in the diminished revenue to the Grand Lodge, when the returns are made up another year. Since the first of September last, the commencement of our fiscal year, a marked falling off in receipts is evident.

During my visits to the Lodges, I have carefully examined the By-laws, and Records, and witnessed an exemplification of the work, and lectures in each. I have endeavored to establish a uniform manner of keeping the Records, throughout the District. Within a few years great laxity has grown up in some of the Lodges in this respect; many essentials being omitted for the sake of brevity.

There appear to have been ninety-two initiates this year, while the returns show one hundred and three during the previous year. More Dispensations have been granted this year than before. In cases of soldiers and officers applying none have been refused. I have considered it proper that patriotism should be encouraged and rewarded, and that Dispensations should be given to this class of candidates to enable them the better to encounter the hardships and rigor of the camp; and that by means of our Order social intercourse and Brotherly relations with their Brethren in arms, might be promoted.

It gives me great pleasure to report, that the various Lodges are presided over by wise and discreet officers, and that the affairs of the Lodge are conducted with prudence and propriety. Harmony prevails among the Brethren, while charitable and patriotic efforts, continue to distinguish their conduct among men.

Before closing this report permit me to express the renewed obligations I am under to R. W. Wm. North, your Senior Grand Warden, and my predecessor in the office of District Deputy Grand Master, for the kind assistance which he has rendered me in the performance of my official duties.

I remain, Fraternally, your very obedient servant,
WILLIAM S. GARDNER, D.D.G.M., 3d District.

LIST OF LODGES BY DISTRICT: 1861

This district layout is based on the O.P. edition of the Proceedings. However, this publication is riddled with errors, and some adjustment was necessary.
Note: There were 12 Districts in 1861, plus a special area for Chile.

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