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.
PAST MASTERS
- William Ross, 1803
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; see below)
- 1998 (Notes in 175th Anniversary of Star in the East-Paskamansett Lodge, 1998-134; see below)
NOTES IN CENTENARY HISTORY OF EUREKA LODGE, JUNE 1958
From Proceedings, Page 1958-100:
Although Star-in-the-East Lodge is now the oldest Masonic Lodge in this City today, it was not the first one organized in this area. Washington Remembered Lodge was organized in what was then known as Bedford Village in the year 1803. Its charter was returned to the Grand Lodge in 1814.
During its existence, this Lodge enrolled a total of 121 members, but the influence of the War of 1812 proved a disastrous one and its charter was finally returned. About one-third of its members came from Bedford Village, one-third from Fairhaven and one-third from other surrounding towns. It is worthy to note how completely its membership became dispersed in the twenty years following its existence. Only five joined Star-in-the-East Lodge and they took no active part in its affairs. An 1836 Directory contained the names of only seven of its members.
The first Master of this Lodge was Lieutenant William Ross, who was stationed in New Bedford at the time of the Revolutionary War. After the Revolution, he was proprietor of a public house at the corner of Union and First Streets until 1809.
The history of this early Lodge reveals some interesting facts concerning life in this Town during the early days of the nineteenth century. In those days, when the population was but a small fraction of what it is today, when Union Street was called Main Street and when Water Street extended only from Elm to School Street, the population was largely a seafaring one. The whaling industry was growing rapidly, developing into a profitable one. Foundations were already being laid for those fortunes that later became famous and the population was increasing with business prosperity. The records of Washington Remembered Lodge indicate a sort of military method of dealing with attendance of members. Any prolonged or unexplained absence from meetings led to an inquiry and possibly to some discipline. Often members expecting to be absent, were granted "leave of absence." The frequency of these indicates that members may have been largely mariners and in fact were often in the records referred to as "Captain."
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.
