WashingtonRemembered
Contents
WASHINGTON REMEMBERED LODGE
Location: New Bedford
Chartered By: Isaiah Thomas
Charter Date: 09/12/1803 II-221
Precedence Date: 09/12/1803
Current Status: unknown; dropped from registry 1821; see history references pages 1923-392ff, 1948-236.
REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS
HISTORY
- 1923 (Notes in centennial history of Star in the East Lodge, 1923-392)
- 1948 (Notes in 125th Anniversary history of Star in the East Lodge, 1948-236)
- 1958 (Notes in centennial history of Eureka Lodge, 1958-99)
- 1998 (Notes in 175th Anniversary of Star in the East-Paskamansett Lodge, 1998-134; see below)
NOTES IN 175TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF STAR IN THE EAST-PASKAMANSETT LODGE, OCTOBER 1998
From Proceedings, Page 1998-134:
Star in the East Lodge is the oldest existing Lodge in the City of New Bedford, although it was not the first lodge organized in New Bedford.
In 1803, New Bedford was known as Bedford Village, with only a few short streets. Union Street was then called Main Street, and Water Street extended only from School Street to Elm Street. At that time the population was small and consisted of mariners and seafaring men. Nine of these men decided to form a Masonic Lodge and applied for a Charter, which was granted on September 3, 1805, under the name of "Washington Remembered Lodge".
That Lodge did not prosper, and the War of 1812 had a disastrous effect on the Lodge, culminating in the surrender of the Charter and the Jewels which were returned to Grand Lodge on October 5, 1816. The last entry in the record book, dated October 5, 1816, is a receipt signed by James Bliss, District Deputy Grand Master, stating that Jonathan Allen, Treasurer of Washington Remembered Lodge, had delivered to him, to be deposited in Grand Lodge, the Charter, By-Laws, Seal and Jewels of eight officers. Thus ended Washington Remembered Lodge.