WashingtonRemembered

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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.


BY-LAWS, 1803

These images show the pages of a copy of the By-Laws of this lodge from 1803. A list of charter members appears on the last page.

WashRemByLaws1803_Part1.jpg WashRemByLaws1803_Part2.jpg

WashRemByLaws1803_Part3.jpg WashRemByLaws1803_Part4.jpg

WashRemByLaws1803_Part5.jpg WashRemByLaws1803_Part6.jpg

WashRemByLaws1803_Part7.jpg WashRemByLaws1803_Part8.jpg

WashRemByLaws1803_Part9.jpg WashRemByLaws1803_Part10.jpg

WashRemByLaws1803_Part11.jpg WashRemByLaws1803_Part12.jpg

LIST OF MEMBERS, 1803

WILLIAM ALMY
DANIEL BENNETT d. 1807

Captain Daniel Bennett, died 04/13/1807, Newry, Ireland

Check membership card file

BENJAMIN BROWNELL, JR.
  • EA 1802, King David
  • Completed degrees in Washington Remembered Lodge, November 1803
GAMALIEL BRYANT
  • MM 1800, King David
  • Steward 1803; Treasurer 1803
WILLIAM H. H. CHEALY
  • Senior Warden 1803
CHARLES CHURCH d. 1805
JAMES COGGESHALL d. 1809
JOHN COGGESHALL
JONATHAN COWING

Granted leave of absence for winter season 1808

BENJAMIN DREW
ROBERT EARL
  • Proxy 1808
JOHN GERRISH
PETER HARPER
  • Senior Deacon 1803
  • Senior Warden 1805
  • Tyler 1809
WILLIAM HATHAWAY
HARDY E. HITCH
JOSHUA HITCH d. 1838
ISAIAH JONES
  • No record; but another Isaiah Jones was raised in King David Lodge in 1804
WILLIAM KEMPTON
  • Steward, Acting Secretary 1807
JOSEPH MAXFIELD d. 1807
  • Treasurer 1803-1807
WILLIAM MEADER

Bro. Meader received 3 degrees in "No. 57 Royal Naval Lodge of Independence Wapping, a clandestine Lodge"; Degrees re-conferred.

  • MM 1803, Washington Remembered
  • Tyler 1803
WARREN OLDS
  • MM 1803, Washington Remembered
  • Junior Warden 1808
WILLIAM ROSS 1757-1809
  • Master 1803
JOHN SPOONER
  • Secretary 1803
ROUNSEVEL SPOONER
WALTER SPOONER, JR.
LORING TABER
  • Granted leave of absence 1803
WILLIAM TABER
  • EA before 1803
  • MM 1807, Washington Remembered
LABAN THATCHER
JOSEPH TRIPP d. 1870
JOSEPH WHITE
  • Junior Deacon 1803
ROGER WHITE


Also: Ebenezer Hitch, degrees 1806, J. D. 1806

PAST MASTERS

  • William Ross, 1803
  • Joseph Tripp, 1807

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition For Charter: 1803
  • Constitution of Lodge: 1805

HISTORY


NOTES IN CENTENARY HISTORY OF STAR IN THE EAST LODGE, DECEMBER 1923

Washington Remembered Lodge was organized in Bedford Village in 1803, but in 1814 it surrendered its charter and jewels to the Grand Lodge.

The history of this original lodge provides some interesting side-lights on the life of the town at the beginning of the nineteenth century. In those days, when Union Street was called Main Street, when Water Street extended only from School to Elm, and was in the west side of the village, the population of Bedford, exclusive of the wealthy merchants and ship owners, and the mechanics who worked for them, was a seafaring one. From the fact that those forming Washington Remembered Lodge became Masons somewhere outside of New Bedford, and that their names seldom appear on the records of any New England lodge, it is inferred that they received Masonic degrees in the foreign countries in which they traveled.

On November 27, 1802, nine Masons met at the office of Thomas Hammond, the only lawyer in the village, and signed a petition for a lodge, to be named "Washington Remembered Lodge," and named William Ross first Master. No response was received from the Grand Lodge for several months, during which time, however, the Masons met at various places to "brighten themselves" and incidentally to obtain more names for their petition.

On June 8, 1803 they met at the public house of John Gerrish, where they formed an organization, with John Spooner as secretary, and Joseph Maxfield as treasurer. William Ross explained that some informality in the petition had caused a delay, but that a charter was expected soon.

A committee, appointed at this time to select a place for meeting, found that a room over Captain Jeremiah Mayhew's store on Front street, could be obtained for three years with no charge except the cost of fumishing it. This was done, and the first meeting in the new quarters took place September 6, 1803.

At the next meeting, one week later, the charter arrived and the officers of the lodge were elected. The usual routine of meetings began, and on September 3, 1805, the Constitution of the Lodge took place, with public ceremonies at the Meeting House. Clergy and civil and military officers were present and the procession was preceded by a band. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Holt, who had succeeded Rev. William H. H. Chealey, a charter member of the lodge and its first senior warden, in the pastorate of the church where the ceremony took place.

After the ceremonies of Constitution, says the records of the lodge, "The Brethren proceeded to Brother Gerrish's and partook of an excellent dinner for which he was paid $22.75, although he attempted to collect more."

In February, 1810, the lodge moved to new quarters, above the store of Gamaliel Bryant, which stood on Union Street, just east of Water. The meetings continued without anything of special interest, the records being mainly a chronicle of visitors and action on candidates, which were numerous for that day.

The War of 1812 seems to have exerted a disastrous influence on Washington Remembered Lodge. Meetings continued regular but candidates became less frequent, the last being elected in December, 1813. During the next year only three petitions were presented. The last meeting took place October 1, 1811, but, to quote the record, "not having many members present, closed without doing any business."

The last entry in the record book, dated Oct. 5. 1816, is a receipt signed by James Bliss, District Deputy Grand Master, in which he states that Jonathan Allen, the treasurer of Washington Remembered Lodge, had delivered to him, to be deposited in the Grand Lodge, the charter, by-laws, seal, and jewels of eight officers.

Lieutenant William Ross, the first Master of the Lodge, was stationed at Bedford during the Revolution, and after the war he conducted a public house on the corner of Union and First Streets until his death in 1809. The records of the Lodge passed into the hands of his daughter. Mrs. T. M-Martin, of Haverhill. In 1856 she gave them to G. M. Chase, who placed them in the hands of the Grand Lodge.

The records indicate a sort of military method of dealing with attendance of members. Any prolonged or unexplained absence from meetings caused an inquiry and might lead to discipline. Frequently members who expected to be absent were granted "leave of absence." The frequency of these indicates that the members were mostly mariners, and indeed, a surprisingly large number of them were referred to as "Captain."

During its existence the Lodge enrolled 3 total of 121 members, about one-third from Bedford, one-third from Fairhaven, and one-third from the surrounding towns. Of these only five became members of Star In the Fast Lodge, James Coggeshall, Samuel Stall, Reuben Swift, Joseph Tripp, and John Thornton. It is remarkable how completely the members of the lodge dispersed in the next 20 years. The first New Bedford directory, published in 1836, contained the names of only seven.

NOTES IN 125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF STAR IN THE EAST LODGE, DECEMBER 1948

From Proceedings Page 1948-236:

Star in the East Lodge is the oldest existing Masonic Lodge in New Bedford, although it was not the first one organized here.

In 1803, what is now known as New Bedford was named Bedford Village, with only a few short streets. The street now called Union was then known as Main, and Water Street extended only from School to Elm Street. At that time the population was very small and consisted mostly of mariners or seafaring men. Nine of these men decided to form a Masonic Lodge and applied for a Charter, which was granted September 3, 1805, under the name of Washington Remembered Lodge. This venture was doomed to failure from the start, and the War of 1812 had such a disastrous effect on the Lodge that the Charter and jewels were returned to the Grand Lodge October 5, 1816. Thus ended Washington Remembered Lodge.

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 150TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY OF STAR IN THE EAST LODGE, DECEMBER 1973

From Proceedings Page 1973-290:

In 1803, New Bedford was 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 September 3, 1805 under the name of "Washington Remembered Lodge".

The Lodge did not prosper, and the War of 1812 had a disastrous effect on the Lodge, which culminated in the surrender of the charter and 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, in which he states that Jono-than 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.

From the fact that those forming the premier Lodge became Masons somewhere outside of New Bedford, and that their names seldom appear in the records of any New England Lodge, it is inferred that they received Masonic degrees in the foreign countries to which they travelled. The records indicate a sort of military method of dealing with the attendance of members; any prolonged or unexplained absence caused an inquiry and might lead to discipline. Frequently, members who expected to be absent were granted a leave of absence, which would indicate that the members were mostly mariners; in fact, many were referred to as Captain. During its existence, the Lodge enrolled a total of 121 members.

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.


DISTRICTS

1803: District 4 (Southeast)


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges