Difference between revisions of "MeridianSun1"

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=== HISTORY ===
 
=== HISTORY ===
  
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1943 1943]''' (Historical notes at 50th Anniversary of [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MeridianSun2 Meridian Sun] Lodge, 1943-259)
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* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1895 1895]''' (From Address at Constitution of [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MeridianSun2 Meridian Sun] Lodge, 1895-24; see below)
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* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1943 1943]''' (Historical notes at 50th Anniversary of [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MeridianSun2 Meridian Sun] Lodge, 1943-259; see below)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1963 1963]''' (Historical notes at centenary of [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Hayden Hayden] Lodge, 1963-233)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1963 1963]''' (Historical notes at centenary of [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Hayden Hayden] Lodge, 1963-233)
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==== EXCERPT FROM ADDRESS AT CONSTITUTION OF [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MeridianSun2 MERIDIAN SUN] LODGE, FEBRUARY 1895 ====
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''From Proceedings, Page 1895-24:''
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It may be interesting to those present to know something of the history of ''Meridian Sun'' Lodge, which was in existence nearly one hundred years ago.
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On Sept. 13, 1797, there was presented to the Grand Lodge "a petition from Cheney Reed and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge at Brookfield, by the name of Meridian Sun Lodge, and being properly recommended it was voted that the prayer of the petitioners be granted."
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The Lodge was constituted Sept. 12, 1798, and the following account was published in the Worcester ''Spy'' of that date, a clipping from which is now in the possession of the Grand Lodge. It reads as follows:
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<blockquote>
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"On the 12th inst. the 'Meridian Sun Lodge,' at Brookfield, was publicly consecrated, and its officers installed by R. W. [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMThomas Isaiah Thomas], Esq. (who has a deputation to visit, instruct, etc., the Lodges in the three western Counties of Massachusetts). A sermon was preached on the occasion by the [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLTHarris Chaplain of the Grand Lodge], "on the importance of illustrating our profession by our example", and an instructive and interesting Charge was given by the [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMBartlett Grand Master]. The whole was performed in the presence of a crowded, respectable, and highly gratified audience. After the public services, the Brethren and guests partook of a noble feast, under a most elegant alcove erected and ornamented for the occasion."
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</blockquote>
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R. W. Isaiah Thomas was the editor and proprietor of the Worcester ''Spy''.
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The only other information which we have been able to discover is taken from an Address delivered in Grand Lodge by M. W. [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMHeard John T. Heard], Dec. 28, 1857:
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<blockquote>
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"Meridian Sun Lodge, Brookfield, [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Harris Harris] Lodge, Templeton, [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Eden1 Eden] Lodge, Ware, and [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Doric1 Doric] Lodge, Southbridge, have had but a nominal existence for many years. Their names are still on the roll of the Grand Lodge, and their erasure can be done only by your authority. In 1854, R. W. Horace Chenery, D. D. G. M. of the [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MADISTRICT6_1849-66 Sixth District], made the following indorsement on his Return for that year, in relation to these Lodges: "Charters lost or returned to Grand Lodge."<br>
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Bro. Heard continues: "Ascertaining that neither the charters, records, or any other property, of either of these Lodges was in our archives, and that there was no evidence that either of them had ever surrendered any of its effects to the Grand Lodge, I directed D.D. Grand Master Henry Earl to visit the towns in which the Lodges were located, and by due inquiry to determine whether or not the missing charters could be recovered.<br>
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<br>
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"Through his praiseworthy efforts, I am enabled to report that the charter and records of Meridian Sun Lodge were in possession of Bro. Rufus Dodge, a worthy farmer, 84 years of age, who cheerfully resigned his, charge on learning that it was the request of the Grand Lodge that he should do so. No meeting of Meridian Sun Lodge has been held since 1884."
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</blockquote>
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Unfortunately, neither the ancient charter nor the records of the Lodge are now in existence. They were consumed in the fire which destroyed the Masonic Temple in Boston on the 5th of April, 1864.
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Had the Lodge not surrendered its charter, in two years from the present time the Grand Officers would have had the privilege of coming here and joining with you in celebrating your Centennial.
  
 
==== EXCERPT FROM 50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MeridianSun2 MERIDIAN SUN] LODGE, DECEMBER 1943 ====
 
==== EXCERPT FROM 50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MeridianSun2 MERIDIAN SUN] LODGE, DECEMBER 1943 ====

Revision as of 20:10, 8 November 2014

MERIDIAN SUN LODGE

Location: Brookfield

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 09/13/1797 II-108

Precedence Date: 09/13/1797

Current Status: unknown; last meeting under old charter 1834


NOTES

In Grand Master Heard's address in December 1857 (Page 1857-36 in the original Proceedings), this lodge was described as having "had but a nominal existence for many years." He also noted that "the Charter and records of Meridian Sun Lodge were in possession of Bro. Rufus Dodge, a worthy farmer eighty-four years of age, who cheerfully resigned his charge on learning that it was the request of the Grand Lodge that he should do so. No meeting of M. S. Lodge has been held since 1834."

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, FEBRUARY 1825

Officer list from Masonic Mirror, February 12, 1825, in the Cambridge Masonic Temple collection:

  • Pliny Nye, Worshipful Master
  • Otis Hayden, Senior Warden
  • W. Heman Stebbins, Junior Warden
  • Amos Blanchard, Treasurer
  • Dexter Rice, Secretary
  • Pliny Upham, Senior Deacon
  • David Matthews, Junior Deacon
  • Rufus Dodge, Tyler.

PAST MASTERS

  • Joseph Pierce, 1801
  • Cheney Reed, 1802
  • Otis Hayden, before 1827; SN
  • Francis O. Clark, 1814
  • John Homans, before 1826; SN
  • Pliny Nye, 1825

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Charter: 1797

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

  • 1798 (Bartlett; Constitution of Lodge and installation; see above)

HISTORY

  • 1895 (From Address at Constitution of Meridian Sun Lodge, 1895-24; see below)
  • 1943 (Historical notes at 50th Anniversary of Meridian Sun Lodge, 1943-259; see below)
  • 1963 (Historical notes at centenary of Hayden Lodge, 1963-233)

EXCERPT FROM ADDRESS AT CONSTITUTION OF MERIDIAN SUN LODGE, FEBRUARY 1895

From Proceedings, Page 1895-24:

It may be interesting to those present to know something of the history of Meridian Sun Lodge, which was in existence nearly one hundred years ago.

On Sept. 13, 1797, there was presented to the Grand Lodge "a petition from Cheney Reed and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge at Brookfield, by the name of Meridian Sun Lodge, and being properly recommended it was voted that the prayer of the petitioners be granted."

The Lodge was constituted Sept. 12, 1798, and the following account was published in the Worcester Spy of that date, a clipping from which is now in the possession of the Grand Lodge. It reads as follows:

"On the 12th inst. the 'Meridian Sun Lodge,' at Brookfield, was publicly consecrated, and its officers installed by R. W. Isaiah Thomas, Esq. (who has a deputation to visit, instruct, etc., the Lodges in the three western Counties of Massachusetts). A sermon was preached on the occasion by the Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, "on the importance of illustrating our profession by our example", and an instructive and interesting Charge was given by the Grand Master. The whole was performed in the presence of a crowded, respectable, and highly gratified audience. After the public services, the Brethren and guests partook of a noble feast, under a most elegant alcove erected and ornamented for the occasion."

R. W. Isaiah Thomas was the editor and proprietor of the Worcester Spy.

The only other information which we have been able to discover is taken from an Address delivered in Grand Lodge by M. W. John T. Heard, Dec. 28, 1857:

"Meridian Sun Lodge, Brookfield, Harris Lodge, Templeton, Eden Lodge, Ware, and Doric Lodge, Southbridge, have had but a nominal existence for many years. Their names are still on the roll of the Grand Lodge, and their erasure can be done only by your authority. In 1854, R. W. Horace Chenery, D. D. G. M. of the Sixth District, made the following indorsement on his Return for that year, in relation to these Lodges: "Charters lost or returned to Grand Lodge."
Bro. Heard continues: "Ascertaining that neither the charters, records, or any other property, of either of these Lodges was in our archives, and that there was no evidence that either of them had ever surrendered any of its effects to the Grand Lodge, I directed D.D. Grand Master Henry Earl to visit the towns in which the Lodges were located, and by due inquiry to determine whether or not the missing charters could be recovered.

"Through his praiseworthy efforts, I am enabled to report that the charter and records of Meridian Sun Lodge were in possession of Bro. Rufus Dodge, a worthy farmer, 84 years of age, who cheerfully resigned his, charge on learning that it was the request of the Grand Lodge that he should do so. No meeting of Meridian Sun Lodge has been held since 1884."

Unfortunately, neither the ancient charter nor the records of the Lodge are now in existence. They were consumed in the fire which destroyed the Masonic Temple in Boston on the 5th of April, 1864.

Had the Lodge not surrendered its charter, in two years from the present time the Grand Officers would have had the privilege of coming here and joining with you in celebrating your Centennial.

EXCERPT FROM 50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF MERIDIAN SUN LODGE, DECEMBER 1943

From Proceedings, Page 1943-259:

"One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1793, the original Charter of the old Meridian Sun Lodge was granted and the Lodge constituted. This Lodge remained in active operation for many years. There developed, however, much opposition to Masonry among outsiders. Finally, after the Morgan Episode, the Charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge.

"There were many famous members in the original Lodge. Among the best known were General Rufus Putnam, who lived in North Brookfield for about twenty years, on what is known as Putnam Hill; Major Peter Harwood, who was Officer of the Day at the execution of Major Andre; Rufus Dodge, great-grandfather of Past Master Willard Bemis of the present Meridian Sun Lodge; Honorable Bonum Nye, who was for the last two years of his life the oldest living Mason in the United States."

OTHER

  • 1820 (Report of delinquency, III-281)
  • 1829 (Committee on property deed, IV-152)
  • 1830 (Committee on property deed, IV-177)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, SEPTEMBER 1798

From Proceedings, Page 1895-24, address of the Grand Master at the constitution of Meridian Sun Lodge:

"The Lodge was constituted Sept. 12, 1798, and the following account was published in the Worcester Spy of that date, a clipping from which is now in the possession of the Grand Lodge. It reads as follows:

"On the 12th inst. the 'Meridian Sun Lodge,' at Brookfield, was publicly consecrated, and its officers installed by R.W. Isaiah Thomas, Esq. (who has a deputation to visit, instruct, etc., the Lodges in the three western Counties of Massachusetts). A sermon was preached on the occasion by the Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, 'on the importance of illustrating our profession by our example,' and an instructive and interesting Charge was given by the Grand Master. The whole was performed in the presence of a crowded, respectable, and highly gratified audience. After the public services, the Brethren and guests partook of a noble feast, under a most elegant alcove erected and ornamented for the occasion."


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1803: District 6 (Central Mass., Worcester)

1821: District 6


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges