MAWilderMemorial

WILDER MEMORIAL, HINGHAM

Wilder Memorial Hall

From Liberal Freemason, Vol. III, No. 10, January 1880, Page 302:

The Wilder Memorial, dedicated December 18th, last, in Hingham, Mass., is said to be one of the finest structures in the County. it is located in the south part of the town, a short distance from the Unitarian Church, where it will be a constant reminder to the towns people, of the virtue and generosity of a good man, and an admonition to the craft generally to emulate the example of a good Mason.

Brother Martin Wilder was a man who was well known and highly esteemed, and was at one time captain of the Watertown Artillery Company. Me was also a member of the Handel and Haydn Society, and of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery, and Mechanic Association. By his will, the income of one-half of his property was to be used towards the support of the poor in the south parish, and when the income reached a certain sum, it was also to be used to establish a free evening school, or for other educational purposes. By a permit granted in April last, by Judge Endicott, of the Supreme Court, the memorial has been erected.

The building is 40x50 feet, is two stories high, with a mansard roof, and has an L 15 x 32 feet. On the lower floor will be a library, reading and recitation room, and above a hall to be used as a lecture room.

Brother Wilder was born in South Hingham, November 16th, 1790, and was one of a family of 21 children. When about fifteen years of age, he went to Boston, where he served an apprenticeship with a carriage-smith, was subsequently admitted to a partnership by his employer, and eventually succeeded him in the business. He died at Billerica, March 26th, 1854.

He was made a Mason in Massachusetts Lodge, of Boston, in 1819. was elected Master in 1831-2-3, and again in 1842-3, thus serving five years in that office. In May 1852, he was elected to be an Honorary Member, an honor that had been conferred upon ten others, only, in a period of sixty years.