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MASONIC MONUMENT IN SPRINGFIELD

From New England Craftsman, Vol. XXXVII, No. 4, December 1941, Page 67 and
From New England Craftsman, Vol. XLI, No. 12, December 1946, Page 286:

OLDEST MASONIC MONUMENT

by S. M. Neal

What may he the oldest Masonic monument in America stands near the corner of Federal and State Streets in Springfield, Massachusetts, on property now owned by the United States Armory. it was erected in 1763 by Colonel Joseph Wait, then of Brookfield, Massachusetts, the identity of whose lodge is, so far as this writer's researches go, a hit of a mystery, although what hears all the appearance of a genuine trail leads us to an ancient Trinity Lodge, in New York, that was chartered prior lo the Revolution. No records of the lodge are in existence, hut there are indications that at one time a certificate issued to him by Trinity was in the possession of the Colonel's descendants.

This ancient monument, or "parting stone," is about four and a half feet high, though when put up. legend states, it stood about seven feet high. It has been moved once, perhaps twice, from the original site, though only for a distance of a few yards, and these removals may account for its loss in stature. It is a foot and a half wide and one foot thick and originally was enclosed by a stone curbing eight feet square, all made of Longmeadow brown stone - Longmeadow, where was the stone quarry, adjoins Springfield on the south.

Taking the monument from the center, the upper half as it shows on the photograph shows a scroll with a Latin inscription: ". . . tus Est Sua Merces." Above this scroll is a temple with a flight of seven steps leading to the door, and on the door at one time was carved a square and compasses and the letter "G." On each side of the steps is a pillar. At the top of the arch is an eagle's head, and over the arched doorway another Latin inscription: "Pulsanti Operiet . . ." Above the left pillar is carved a star, above the right, a moon, and above all is the sun. Below is a scroll with the inscription in English: "Boston Road. This Stone is erected bv Joseph Wait, Esq., of Brookfield for the benefit of Travellers. A.D. 1763."

When it was erected the the monument stood in the wilderness east of the then Springfield. From this spot several trails led to various places, but where it stands is in what is now the center of the city. Here changing red and green lights delay or speed motorists and busses on their way to or from nearby towns, west and south, north and east, to other parts of New England. Thus this monument, which has stood guard for 178 years, no longer serves the purpose for which it was erected — to advise travelers of the whereabouts of the Boston Road. Its removal to a point not far from the original site was necessary when the Armory expanded. It was put up outside the Armory fence and is now next to the highway. Years ago vandals cut the Masonic symbols from the door.

Wait erected the monument to advise travelers of the path, as it was then, to Boston, inspired by an experience that nearly ended in tragedy for him. It was during the winter of 1762 when, thirty years old, he was returning to Brookfield from guiding a party of settlers to the New Hampshire Grants - later Vermont, for his knowledge of the unsettled country, gained as a soldier in the French and Indian War, made him a favorite guide.

When he reached Springfield a blizzard was raging and after he had eaten, and was starting to continue his homeward trip, people urged him to wait over. He decided to go on, and at the junction of those several paths he took thai leading to Chicopee instead of the one for Boston. He soon realized that he was lost and turned back. He found the right road and started again. but his exhausted horse could go no farther. He left the animal in a tree shelter and went on, plowing through the snow on foot, hut was forced to stop at a farm house. He was all hut frozen, and in thankfulness for his escape he had the monument erected, the Masonic symbols expressed his gratitude lo God for saving his life. It is known that be went to considerable expense to have the monument made.

Joseph Wait, the second of seven sons of John Wait of Brookfield. was born in 1732 of a sturdy, distinguished family — Chief Justice Wait, of the Supreme Court of the United States, belonged to ibis family.

Much of the glory surrounding the family is traceable, however, to the outstanding career of Joseph Wail as a soldier. His military career is a matter of record in the annals of New England's military heroes.

He enlisted in the Provincial Army in May, 1754. at the age of 22. and because he was known to be a young man of courage and action the high command placed him in the corps in which "those accustomed to travelling and scouting, and in whose courage and fidelity the utmost confidence could he placed," were enrolled.

After the disastrous defeat of Braddock on the Monongahela the British realized that they must have a force of fighters who knew the country and thus it came about that the famous Rogers' Rangers were recruited in New England. The Rangers' officers were intelligent, brave, picked men, of whom Wait was one. Later many of these same soldiers distinguished themselves in the Revolution.

Brother Wait was with Rogers (who himself was a Mason) on that epic expedition against the St. Francis Indians at Three Rivers in Canada, so vividly described by Kenneth Roberts in "Northwest Passage." In recognition of his valor Lord Amherst made him a Captain.

The Rangers were mustered out of service in March 1761, many receiving land in Vermont — then known as the New Hampshire Grants. Wait was one of these, and he removed his family to Windsor (Vermont), where he was prominent in the agitation with New York State over Vermont lands. He joined Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys, was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and put in command of a regiment.

Colonel Wait was killed in a skirmish preceding the battle of Valcour Island, on Lake Champlain. While his men were trying lo take him lo his home he died on the roadside, near North Clarendon, Vermont, on September 28. 1776. and was buried there. Later his fellow officers erected there a monument to him. said to be the first instance in the United States of a man so honored by his compatriots. - Masonic Outlook.