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ALFRED BAYLIES LODGE

Location: Taunton

Chartered By: Charles C. Dame

Charter Date: 12/12/1866 VII-112

Precedence Date: 01/12/1866

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault; merged into King David Lodge, 07/18/1974 (Page 1974-154).

Logo image from the 50th Anniversary Program, 1916

PAST MASTERS

need list of living Past Masters

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition For Charter: 1866
• Petition For Merger: 1974

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1916 (50th Anniversary)
• 1941 (75th Anniversary; GL Special Communication)
• 1966 (Centenary; GL Special Communication)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1867 (Dame; see below)
• 1881 (Lawrence)
• 1908 (Blake)
• 1916 (M. Johnson; 50th Anniversary)
• 1932 (Chipman; reception for Grand Marshal)
• 1941 (Schaefer; 75th Anniversary)
• 1966 (Booth; Centenary)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1870 (Full Code)
1871 1873 1875 1884 1901 1913 1920 1922 1933 1954 1956 1962 1964 1970

HISTORY

• 1941 (75th Anniversary History, 1941-337)
• 1966 (Centennial History, 1966-267)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, DECEMBER 1941

From Proceedings, Page 1941-337:

By Worshipful Samuel B. Dobson

During the closing year of the Civil War, 1865, the question of having a Masonic Lodge at Weir Village was seriously considered by prominent Masons living in the locality. Numerous questions had to be settled before making application for a Dispensation, for there was already an active Lodge, King David, in Taunton; then a suitable name had to be found and a suitable place in which to hold meetings. Many conferences were held by Brethren interested in the formation of the new body, joined in by members of King David Lodge who were friendly towards the organization of a new Lodge and who offered advice that was helpful and was appreciated. The first two matters of importance to be settled were a name and a meeting place.

Doctor Alfred Baylies had long been an honored physician of the community, a member of King David Lodge, and its faithful Secretary for a long term of years. It seemed only proper and fitting that the name of such a Brother should be honored and perpetuated Masonically by adopting it as the name of the new Lodge, and with his consent, the name Alfred Baylies was agreed upon.

It was decided to hold our meetings in rooms in Staples Block at Weir Village.

November 29, 1865, a petition was presented to King David Lodge by Sylvanus N. Staples and twenty-seven members for consent to establishing a new Lodge at the Weir, to be called "Alfred Baylies." King David Lodge, although regretful at losing so many of their members, was unanimous in endorsing the petition. Application was then made to the Grand Lodge for a Dispensation, which was granted on January 12, 1866.

The first regular communication was held in Staples Block, Weir Village, Wednesday evening, January 31, 1866. The District Deputy Grand Master at this time was Right Worshipful John B. Baylies of New Bedford, who visited the Lodge twice during the first year.

The Lodge was very prosperous during the first year, holding thirty-two special and eleven regular meetings. Thirty applications for membership were received and the Master Mason Degree was conferred upon eighteen. The Lodge now awaited the action of the Grand Lodge in regard to its petition for a charter. This was granted on December 13, 1866.

January 9, 1867, Most Worshipful Grand Master Charles C. Dame constituted the Lodge and installed the officers as follows:

• Worshipful Master, John H. Eddy
• Senior Warden, Mason W. Burt
• Junior Warden, William E. Thrasher
• Treasurer, Benjamin H. Baker
• Secretary, William H. Ingell
• Senior Deacon, Charles F. Eddy
• Junior Deacon, M. Frank Pike
• Senior Steward, Benjamin B. Hathaway
• Junior Steward, Darius M. White
• Tyler, H. W. Luther
• Chaplain, William H. Merrill
• Marshal, Charles H. Pierce

It is recorded that Saint John's Day was observed June, 1866, by holding a picnic at Myrick's Grove. It is now the custom to attend church in a body on that day.

At the close of the first fifty years, Alfred Baylies Lodge had been prosperous. Two hundred and sixty-nine Brothers had received the Master Mason Degree.

At the present time we are all war-minded and regret the closing of the Masonic Lodges in many of the countries of Europe. In 1920 we were also war-minded, for we find that at our meeting held April 7, 1920, a committee was appointed to see if any of our members who were in the armed forces of the United States needed assistance.

During the years, Alfred Baylies Lodge has had two remarkable men as Chaplains, neither of whom were ministers, but who were truly Christian men, and both of whom were loved by the members of the Lodge. Worshipful Brother George W. Barrows, who died early in the year 1922, was Chaplain for a long term of years. On April 21, 1920, he was presented a Masonic charm for his faithful services. It was Worshipful Brother Barrows who wrote the historical address for our fiftieth anniversary.

Brother William L. Evans, who followed Worshipful Brother Barrows as our Chaplain, was another remarkable man. During the first ten years of his service he did not miss a meeting, and a few years ago was presented a Chaplain's jewel. Brother Evans died during the present year. Both of these men radiated the spirit of religion to all with whom they came in contact. The older members missed Worshipful Brother Barrows — the present ones, Brother Evans.

During the year 1921, the building at the Weir in which we had our meeting place was sold. The new owners raised the rent at once, so that in September, 1921, a committee was appointed to see what could be done about getting into new quarters. After several meetings, the Masonic Corporation invited us to use the Lodge-room in which we are now. On January 8, 1922, the committee reported that all arrangements had been made for the use of the Lodge-rooms at 76 Main Street, and that our meetings would be held on the third Friday of each month. We held our first meeting in March, 1922, in the new rooms and have enjoyed the use of them since that time. In order to show off our new quarters, we held a Ladies' Night in June, 1922, which was a very successful event.

The history of the Lodge is the history of the men who founded it and of the men who came into the organization later. It would not be complete without referring to the Eddys, the Staples, the Paulls, the Hathaways, the Wilburs, the Padelfords, the Hoards, the McKechnies, the Woods, and the Manns. There are many others, too numerous to mention, but all of these have helped to keep the name "Alfred Baylies" at the top.

We mentioned two Chaplains earlier. Now I would like to mention two other prominent members of Alfred Baylies Lodge. Right Worshipful Arthur Staples was a man who was generous to all appeals for help from the Brethren, not only from his own Lodge, but also from the Craft at large. He was a Past District Deputy Grand Master and a Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. For years, starting in September and continuing through the winter, Brother Staples would fill up his auto with Brothers nearly every night and visit some Lodge. He was well known all over the State, and his worth as a Mason came to the attention of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, for in 1924 he was elected Junior Grand Warden of that Grand Body. In his own Lodge, he served as its Worshipful Master, and later as its Marshal for a good many years; he also served on the Charity Committee.

Right Worshipful Robert J. McKechnie has served Alfred Baylies as its Master, and as its Treasurer for a number of years. In the Grand Lodge, he served as Grand Standard Bearer in 1925, by appointment of Most Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell, Grand Master. In 1926-27 and 1928 he served as Grand Marshal by appointment of Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson, Grand Master. In 1929, he served as Senior Grand Warden by the unanimous vote of his Brethren. In 1932-33 and 1934, he again answered the call and served as Grand Marshal by appointment of Most Worshipful Curtis Chipman, Grand Master.

During the years, we have had the honor of receiving a number of prominent Masons, among whom were Right Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell, who at the time he visited us was Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts; and Right Worshipful Curtis Chipman, who was also Deputy Grand Master at the time of his visit. In 1926, we were honored by having Most Worshipful Grand Master Frank L. Simpson visit our Lodge, and it is recorded that his address of the evening was most interesting and inspiring.

During the year 1925 we had one particularly impressive
 evening—the night that Worshipful Brother Herbert C. Wood
 installed his son, Frank, as Master of this Lodge.

Another Past Master deserves mention — Worshipful Brother William Mann, who had two sons, Winthrop and Stuart, both of whom have been very prominent in Alfred Baylies. Winthrop has been our Master for the current year; Stuart is the Master for 1942. These young men have done much to keep the name "Alfred Baylies" before the Masons in this District. They, like their father, are a credit to the Fraternity.

The Grand Lodge has honored three of our members by appointing them District Deputy Grand Masters — Right Worshipful Horatio Hall, George Wilbur and Arthur Staples.

Forty-nine good and true men have served as Masters of Alfred Baylies Lodge, and to these men great credit should be given for the success our Lodge has enjoyed.

In 1891, we passed our twenty-fifth milestone; in 1916, our fiftieth, and tonight seventy-five years are behind us. We have had our good years, also our poor ones, but with the spirit of our forefathers ever to inspire us, there is reason to believe that Alfred Baylies Lodge will continue to be a power for good in this community, as it has in the past.

OTHER

• 1872 (Petition regarding charity, 1872-30)
• 1927 (At corner-stone laying in North Attleboro, 1927-187)
• 1929 (At corner-stone laying in North Attleboro, 1929-181)
• 1940 (Authorized reduction of fees, 1940-196)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, JANUARY 1867

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVI, No. 4, February 1867, Page 100:

This new Lodge was duly constituted, under a charter from the Grand Lodge of this State, at Taunton, on the 9th of January last. The installation of the officers took place in the public hall, and was attended by a large collection of ladies and brethren. The Lodge is located in that part of the city of Taunton called Weir Village, and has been very prosperous during the past year. It is in the hands of zealous brethren, and promises to become a strong and healthy body. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the company, to the number of about two hundred, sat down to supper together, and spent a pleasant hour in social enjoyment. The officers are as follows:

• John H, Eddy, W.M.
• Moses W. Bent, S.W.
• William E. Thrasher, J.W.
• Benj. H. Baker, Tr.
• W. H. Ingell, Sec.
• M. F. Pike, S.D.
• Charles F. Eddy, J.D.
• Benjamin B. Hathaway, S.S.
• Darius M. White, J.S.
• Hezekiah W. Luther, Tyler.
• William H. Merrill, Chaplain.
• Charles H. Prince, Marshal.

OFFICER LIST, OCTOBER 1873

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXXII, No. 11, November 1873, Page 352:

Elections. —Alfred Baylies Lodge at Taunton held its annual meeting on the 15th of October, and elected Bro. L. F. Talbot, Master; William D. Hatch, Senior Warden; William F. Bodfish, Junior Warden, and C. T. Eddy, Secretary.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Malcolm F. Borden, DDGM, District 28 (Attleboro), 1972, 1973
• Horatio H. Hall, DDGM, District 23 (Taunton), 1886, 1887; SN
• Andrew J. Main, DDGM, District 28 (Attleboro), 1958, 1959; N
• Winthrop P. Mann, DDGM, District 28 (Attleboro), 1943, 1944; N
• Robert J. McKechnie, Grand Standard Bearer 1925, Grand Marshal, 1926-1928, 1932-1934, Senior Grand Warden, 1929
• Arthur C. Staples, DDGM, District 28 (Taunton), 1921, 1922; Junior Grand Warden 1925
• George E. Wilbur, DDGM, District 23 (Taunton), 1900, 1901; SN

DISTRICTS

1867: District 13 (Taunton)

1878: District 19 (Taunton)

1883: District 23 (Taunton)

1911: District 28 (Taunton)

1927: District 28 (Attleboro)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges